AN ACCOUNTANT at a Poole letting business stole nearly £27,000 from his employers.

Christopher Barry Hallett, 32, has been jailed for 12 months after siphoning money from Quay Holidays’ accounts to help pay his own bills.

Dad-of-two Hallett’s deceit began when he accidentally transferred £150 to himself.

Over 10 months, the qualified accountant pocketed more than £26,000 in a bid to pay off his personal debts. When Hallett quit and a new accountant took over, his crimes were discovered, Bournemouth Crown Court heard.

Prosecutor Stuart Ellacott told the court: “Having been discovered, Hallett said that it was a mistake, a stupid thing to do.

“He had been struggling for money and had taken it to help cover the bills.”

Hallett pleaded guilty to four counts of theft by breach of trust at Bournemouth Magistrates last month.

Mitigating, Rachel Spearing said the crime helped support Hallett’s two families.

Back in 2006, he had racked up more than £20,000 in debt.

She said: “The sad reality was that he was struggling to keep his head above water and keep it from his near and dear.”

Sentencing, Judge John Harrow said Hallett, from Weymouth, would never work in accountancy again.

“You caused cash flow problems and the owners had to go and borrow money in order to replenish the losses.

“It was a serious breach of their trust.

“You have brought disgrace upon yourself and your family.”

  • HALLETT was well-liked at Quay Holidays, in Poole’s High Street.

He worked there as an accountant from May 2010 – December 2011, when he left but maintained a consultancy role.

Managing partner Helen Challis was on adoption leave when Hallett took advantage.

She told the Daily Echo: “It was right that the judge imposed a custodial sentence, but the fact remains that we have been left significantly out of pocket through his greed.”

Quay’s owners now plan to raise a civil case against Hallett in their attempts to recover the stolen funds.