Man who stole £4,000 from Tesco Express says 'horrific mistake' had 'destroyed life'
A MAN who stole £4,000 from his job at Tesco Express in Ellesmere Port has been ordered to pay back part of the money and complete a community order.
By Chester Standard
A Tesco Express employee who stole £4,000 from the store in Ellesmere Port has been ordered to repay £1,000 and complete 200 hours of unpaid work.
Paul Owen, 29, of Princes Road, Ellesmere Port, appeared at Chester Magistrates’ Court for sentencing after admitting theft by an employee.
The offence took place between 15 November and 29 December 2025 at the Tesco Express on Chester Road.
The court heard that store manager Paul Duckers launched an internal investigation after cash began going missing from the tills over a sustained period.
Prosecutor Andy Page said CCTV showed Owen removing money from a till on multiple occasions while on duty. Owen was suspended, and evidence including till records and video footage was provided to police.
The £4,000 was not returned to the store, and the court heard Owen had not disclosed where he had kept the cash.
Owen told the court it had been a “horrific mistake” which had “destroyed his life”.
Judge McGarva said the offence had been committed in breach of trust and that Owen had let his employer down.
Owen was given a 12-month community order, including a probation requirement, and ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work. He must also pay Tesco £1,000 in compensation.