Abacus Direct Employee Jailed for £50K Stock Theft Over Two Years

Aaren Gasson stole from his work for years. He took bathroom parts from the warehouse and put the items in boxes. DPD, the courier, picked up the boxes, which were then delivered to someone Gasson knew in Essex. He stole items about 200 times total.

His boss caught him after installing a hidden camera at work, in areas CCTV didn’t cover. Police then arrested Gasson, who claimed he stole to survive.

His lawyer explained that Gasson had big debts and took time off work when his father had cancer. His father then needed a care home. Gasson admitted to theft, acknowledging he worked at Abacus Direct.

The judge sentenced Gasson to ten months in jail. He had paused the thefts when he hurt his shoulder. The thefts lasted from early 2021 to late 2023.

The judge emphasized that the items were expensive and the company trusted Gasson, who broke that trust. As a result, the company now has new rules.

His boss witnessed Gasson setting aside shower parts, worth a lot of money, and preparing them for shipping in late 2023. Gasson used the company’s system to send items via the courier service to a man in Romford; a camera recorded the man receiving the items.

Police did not charge the Romford man, believing he bought the items innocently. Gasson first sold goods on eBay where the Romford man bought them. Then, the man asked for more items.

Gasson then started the theft system, using the work machine to label boxes. The defense lawyer called it a simple crime, but many messages went between the two men. The judge said the man enabled Gasson’s crimes.

Gasson’s lawyer said he now has a new job and the new employer knows about the thefts. He argued that jail time would hurt his family and that Gasson had no prior convictions.