A warehouse worker who was part of a criminal operation to steal £3.5m of whiskey used the proceeds to fund a lavish lifestyle.

Forklift driver and supervisor James Barr, 35, of St James Close, Norwich, has been jailed for three years for playing a “crucial role” in the plot to steal tens of thousands of crates of Jack Daniels.

Norwich Crown Court heard he had helped load unauthorised lorry loads at Richard Johnston, a bonded warehouse at Snetterton where shippers store imported goods before customs processing.

He was paid in bags of cash that he then deposited in ATM machines.

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Det Sgt Mark Tate, who led the police investigation, said: “This was a long-standing investigation that showed Barr abused his position at the company and the trust of his employers to fund a lifestyle of buying expensive electrical items, clothing, cars and holidays that was way beyond his means. 

“He stole more than 123,000 bottles of whiskey and the total value of his theft was £3.5m – a significant sum that has quite rightly led to him losing his job and now, his liberty.”