A man has heard he could receive a prison sentence for stealing around £50,000-worth of equipment during a 17-year period while working for Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service.
Fifty-year-old Michael Todhunter appeared at Carlisle Crown Court this afternoon. During a short hearing, Todhunter — who has been employed as a crew manager — faced three charges.
He admitted the theft of various items of equipment belonging to CFRS between January 1, 2003, and May 20 last year. Court papers from a previous hearing show the value of his theft amounted to £50,115.15.
Todhunter also pleaded guilty to stealing 14 Steiff half-face mask respirators between April 2019, and October 2020.
He further admitted a charge of fraud by false representation having offered to sell half-face mask respirators which were not his to sell during that same time period.
Sean Harkin, defending, confirmed Todhunter’s guilty pleas were entered on a “full facts” basis, although no details about his offending were outlined in open court.
“The defendant is of previous good character,” said Mr Harkin. “He is at risk of custody, clearly, but a community order or a suspended (prison) sentence could be an alternative to custody. Clearly, we will need to know more about him before he can be sentenced one way or the other.”
Recorder David Temkin QC adjourned Todhunter’s case for the preparation of a probation service pre-sentence report.
Todhunter, of Laureates Lane, Cockermouth, is next due to appear at the crown court to receive his punishment on August 20, when the facts of his offending will be given, mitigation and other submissions advanced and the pre-sentence report considered.
In the meantime, Todhunter was granted bail by Recorder Temkin, who told him: “You have pleaded guilty to three very serious offences, and I make clear to you that all options will be considered by probation, including custody as well as other options which Mr Harkin mentioned.”
A spokesman confirmed that Todhunter is no longer employed by Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service.
