Shop assistant fined just £80 for Next store refunds scam

Kelly Down, 38, admitted abusing her position of trust at the Gapton Hall Retail Park branch of the clothing and homeware retailer in Great Yarmouth to carry out a refunds scam.

Norwich Magistrates’ Court was told the fraud had been “sustained” and had involved thefts of items worth “significant sums” after Down and another worker developed a way of “working the system”.

Kelly Down leaving Norwich Magistrates Court after being sentenced (Image: Newsquest)

But, sentencing her, magistrates said they had ruled out imprisonment and community punishments in favour of fining her £80.

They also ordered her to pay £658 in compensation to Next and costs of £177. 

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Down, of St Hugh’s Green in Gorleston, had previously pleaded guilty to fraud by abuse of position and theft by an employee.

Her co-defendant, Cherish Clay, 31, from Oxford Avenue, Gorleston, initially pleaded not guilty but has since admitted the same offences and will be sentenced separately at Norwich Crown Court on November 29.

Both were arrested in January.

Nicola Lamb, prosecuting, said: “They were employees at Next and worked together to steal goods. 

“The fraud involved the Next account held by the co-accused and a Next store card that was used to purchase items that were refunded but were never returned.”  

Kelly Down and another worker ran a refunds scam at the Next store at Gapton Hall Retail Park (Image: Google)

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She said it was believed they had carried it out on at least five occasions before the scam was spotted.  

Next suffered losses of £1,316, once recovered goods which still had store tags attached to them were taken into account, but the total value of goods stolen could have been much more, the court was told. 

Calvin Sacker, mitigating, said Down was the sole carer of four children and had played a “lesser role” in the fraud.

“She fully cooperated with police and assisted with the investigation," he added.