South Gloucestershire | Archive | 2005 | December | 2
From the archive, first published Friday 2nd Dec 2005.
A MAN who lied on his application to get a job at a Thornbury newsagents is facing a jail sentence.
Mark Pritchard, 21, was told by a judge at Gloucester Crown Court last Friday that he may face jail.
Pritchard, of Wharf Road, Fishponds, Bristol marked 'no' in a box that asked if he had any criminal convictions when he applied for a job at McColls newsagents, on Oakleaze Road.
He later pleaded guilty to one count of obtaining a pecuniary advantage by deception on November 1, 2004.
Christopher Ferguson, prosecuting, said Pritchard went for a job after seeing it advertised in the Filton Job Centre.
"He had to fill out an application to obtain the job and he clearly marked a no in a box that asked him whether he had any previous convictions or cautions.
"He was then interviewed and confirmed in interview with an area manager that he had ticked all the correct boxes.
"He then began a job in the Thornbury branch where he worked as a deputy manager.
"The breach of trust was discovered when a subsequent suspicion arose at the store in December 2004."
Simon Burns, defending, said Pritchard had lied about his criminal past because he knew he would not have been offered the position if the truth was known.
Mr Burns told the court: "If he had declared having previous convictions he would not have got the job."
Mr Burns added that Pritchard now had a new job working as a security guard, had a new home and periodically looked after his three-year-old child.
Judge Carole Hagen told Pritchard: "This is a final opportunity. I make no promises, it depends very much on the comments of the pre-sentence report."
Pritchard was released on bail on the condition that he resides at home and attends probation appointments. He will be sentenced on December 19 at Bristol Crown Court.
© Newsquest Media Group 2008