A TREGARON takeaway worker stole money by cancelling orders after giving food to customers, and pocketing the payment, magistrates have heard.

Rhys David George Bowden, of Avendale House, Station Terrace in Lampeter, stole almost £250 from the Dan’i Sang restaurant between April and November 2015 by putting through orders, giving customers the food then cancelling orders and stealing the money.

Bowden, 19, had pleaded not guilty to fraud by false representation, but was convicted after a trial.

Prosecutor Helen Tench said the owner of the restaurant had contacted police saying that a member of staff had been putting orders through and then cancelling them after the food was given to customers.

Receipts were handed to police which had “cancelled” or “no pick up” written on them, despite the food having been cooked and given to customers.

Checks by the police with customers showed that they had received their food and paid for it, with Bowden taking the money himself.

A probation report said that, while Bowden accepted there was a breach of trust and that there was a loss to the business, he had tried to minimise the impact of the offence and had shown a lack of remorse.

Bowden told the probation officer that he accepted he “may have made some mistakes” with some tickets, but insisted he had not taken any money.

He was ordered to complete a 12-month community order with 30 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 100 hours of unpaid work.

Bowden will pay costs of £705 and compensation to the restaurant of £245.10.