A security manager was spared jail today after stealing thousands of pounds from his colleagues and "squandering it away by gambling". 

John Otwal, of Blake Hall Road in Wanstead, appeared at Thames Magistrates Court, where he was sentenced to an eight week suspended jail sentence and 150 hours unpaid community work.

He had been working as security manager at the Village Market inside Stratford Shopping Centre for five years when he stole from several employees in November last year. 

Prosecutor Laura Kaplan said the 51-year-old fraudulently convinced market traders he was collecting rent on behalf of the market’s manager between November 1 and 5 last year.

“He collected thousands of pounds of rent and then squandered it away by gambling with it in nearby bookmakers," she said.

“It is a breach of trust and committed over a period of time.”

Otwal stole £2,806 from five stallholders, namely £888 from Zara Barbocz, £618 from Clara Mangoro, £600 from Venktesh Murthy, £500 from Miriam Inacio and £200 from George Mhando, the court was told. 

But management soon realised Otwal had taken the money after traders reported paying him the rent. 

Otwal was arrested on November 6 and charged with six counts of theft by employee.

Appearing at Thames Magistrates Court on January 5, he pleaded guilty to all six charges.

Otwal, who represented himself, said he stole the money because of his gambling addiction.

Mitigating, he said: “I have a problem with a gambling habit and I am getting help for this at the moment.

"I have not been in a gambling shop since then and will never go again.

“I am deeply regretful for what I did and it is a scar on my life.

"It is unforgiveable and I apologise to everyone I took money from and above all I apologise to my wife and children."

Otwal has paid back the money he stole, but also must pay a £165 victim surcharge and costs.