Shipston man who stole £200,000 from his boss is spared jail

AN office administrator who stole almost £200,000 in cryptocurrency from his boss to fund his gambling addiction has been spared jail.

Ben Noden, 38, of Church Street, Shipston, was working as a roofer when he was asked by his employer Peter Round, 68, to help manage his cryptocurrency trades online in November 2020.

But instead Noden transferred sums of up to £12,000 a day to his own account and gambling it away.

Around 12 months later Mr Round discovered the valuable portfolio he had built up over several years had disappeared and called in the police.

Detectives found Noden had swindled around £198,387 from Mr Rounds between January 2021 until January 2022 - money he had been investing for his retirement.

Noden previously pleaded guilty to theft and last Wednesday (7th May) at Worcester Crown Court he was given a two-year prison sentence, suspended for two years and ordered to undertake a 25 day rehabilitation requirement.

Sentencing, Recorder James Hay said: “No sentence I pass today is ever going to return the significant amount of money that you stole.

"Around November 2020 you had been employed by Mr Round to control the computer side of his business. He placed a great degree of trust in you.

“You were known to Mr Round beforehand, paid a salary for what you did, given charge of bank accounts and you were instructed to manage Mr Round’s investments in crypto and block chain. He had hoped you were able to set up his retirement.

“Through the actions you took over that period of time, you did not set up Mr Round's retirement as was hoped. The trust that was placed in you was abused by you.

“I can see throughout the pre-sentence report and the character references that speak on your behalf your significant remorse. It seems that this isn’t something that you have shied away from in your employment, you have spoken to people about your remorse.

“You have done everything it seems to show that you are someone who is capable of leading a law-abiding life without stealing from those who place great deals of trust in you.

“Having given the matter a great deal of thought, in my judgement appropriate punishment can be achieved without immediate custody."

The court heard Noden was initially employed as a roofer but swapped to managing Mr Round’s cryptocurrency assets after showcasing his computer skills.

Amanda O’Mara, defending, told the court Norden had got a new job as a chef.

"He still tried to contribute to society by being a law-abiding citizen and has kept out of further trouble since,” she said. “He has an addictive personality which has led to his offending, as opposed to someone who is gratuitously out of greed stealing from someone to live a luxury lifestyle.”

Speaking after the case, Mr Round, of Kidderminster, said: "I find it absolutely disgusting he escaped any sort of prison sentence. It just sends the message that you can walk into people's lives, then ruin their lives, and get away with it scot free.

"It makes me ashamed to be a British citizen if I'm honest, where is the justice in this? I am so angry and still trying to process it.”

He added: "He has ruined our futures yet is allowed to go home to his mum and carry on with his life."