A SHOP manager from Walthamstow who pocketed more than £30,000 in takings has been jailed for 20 months.

Married father Ramanathan Senathan, 35, of Blackhorse Lane, abused his position at a branch of WH Smith in Marylebone, central London, by swiping up to £5,000 a time, which he was supposed to pay into a bank.

Snaresbrook Crown Court heard last Thursday (21) how he spent £800 on flights to Sri Lanka and split the rest of the money into various bank accounts in an attempt to conceal his crime.

Judge Peter Birts QC said: "You, Mr Senathan, were in a position of trust, quite a senior employee.

"You were supervising others and you were entrusted with money from this branch, a very large amount of cash.

"Each day, quite repeatedly and flagrantly, you helped yourselves to large amount of money."

More than £30,000 had been taken by the time Senathan was found out, but Judge Birts sai dthat the actual figure could have been as high as £40,000.

Senathan claimed he took the cash because he owed money.

Judge Birts said: "I am told you committed these offences because you are in debt.

"The fact is, hundreds and thousands of people in this country are in debt.

"You had a good job and you abused it."

Senathan pleaded guilty to theft, two counts of transferring criminal property, entering or becoming concerned in a money laundering arrnagement and converting criminal property."