Greedy food warehouse manager Robert Curry jailed for stealing more than £30,000 of stock
A greedy thief has been jailed for stealing £30,000 of food - including chocolate and tuna.
Robert Curry, 43, was working for a food storage company when he began helping himself to the stock.
Curry and colleague Craig Rattenbury, 33, stole tuna, sweetcorn and chocolate worth £30,320 in an 18-month crime spree.
But their crimes came to light when the business lost £350,000 a year in revenue - creating an 'air of suspicion.'
Robert Curry, 43 (pictured), was working for a food storage company when he began helping himself to the stock
Prosecutor Heath Edwards said the food thefts took place between January 2015 and August 2016.
Key clients terminated their contracts with cold food storage company Wild Water which has three sites in south Wales.
Mr Edwards said: 'The reputation of the company suffered.'
Curry had a more senior role as overall site manager and Rattenbury was warehouse manager at the site in Llanishen, Cardiff.
Curry and colleague Craig Rattenbury, 33 (pictured), stole tuna, sweetcorn and chocolate worth £30,320 in an 18 month crime spree
Customers heard about the thefts and started to wonder whether their stock would be safe in the warehouse.
The court heard investigators sifted through documents to work out exactly how much was missing and who was responsible.
In a victim impact statement managing director Ken Rattenbury - Craig Rattenbury's uncle - said: 'The business depends on honesty and trust.'
Ken Rattenbury said he had considered Curry, who had worked at the company for almost a decade, as a member of the family.
He said he felt 'extremely angry' with both defendants.
Curry, of Wenvoe in the Vale of Glamorgan, admitted theft.
Curry had a more senior role as overall site manager and Rattenbury was warehouse manager at the site in Llanishen, Cardiff (pictured)
In a victim impact statement managing director Ken Rattenbury - Craig Rattenbury's uncle - said: 'The business depends on honesty and trust'
Judge Richard Williams told them: 'You were both in positions of considerable trust and you both betrayed that trust.' Rattenbury was given a five-month jail term, suspended for a year
The court heard Curry started using cocaine every day and began stealing to fund his addiction.
He used to be in the armed forces and completed two tours of Northern Ireland and is now working as a technician on the railways.
Dad-of-two Rattenbury, 33, of Barry, also admitted theft.
He currently works as a school football coach.
Judge Richard Williams told them: 'You were both in positions of considerable trust and you both betrayed that trust.
'Your motivation was essentially greed.'
No application for Proceeds of Crime was made as the pair have no assets, the court heard.
Curry was sent to prison for 10 months.
Rattenbury was given a five-month jail term, suspended for a year.