| | |  | Last Updated: Tuesday, June 19, 2007 |  | | | Gambling Problem By Accountant Destroys Firm
- Friday, 14 Jul 2006
Bryan Benjafield, a 23-year-old junior accountant, has recently confessed to stealing in excess of GBP 1 million from his employers in order to bankroll his evolving gambling addiction. Between January 2004 and October 2005, while working in its payroll department, Benjafield stole a large amount of money from construction industry firm Charminster of Dorchester, Dorset. His actions, perpetuated by his growing gambling addiction, forced the company to take action.
‘Benjafield, who admitted to police that he had a gambling addiction, spent all of the money online gambling through Ladbrokes and Sky Bet. Because of his actions the company has been forced into administration and they have been forced to make redundancies,’ said prosecutor Sadie Rizzo, speaking outside court. According to The Daily Telegraph, Benjafield pleaded guilty to two theft charges (totaling GBP 616,000) and the transfer of in excess of GBP 1 million of criminal property. Detective Con Paul Carpenter said it was the biggest Internet gambling case he’d ever worked on. Benjafield turned himself in to the police after admitting he had a gambling addiction, the detective added.
It is true that gambling addiction has grown with the onset of the online casino industry. However, many online casino sites as well as land-based casinos are working hard to provide help and services for those gambling fans who know and understand that they have a gambling addiction. For those who want to put a stop to their disease, these services are provided and promoted. It is unfortunate that Benjafield did not consider using these services to help him overcome this major gambling problem.
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