A THIEF who stole thousands of pounds from a repairs business has had his sentencing hearing adjourned for a third time.

Burnley Crown Court heard how Roger Allen Brakewell, 41, pocketed money he had been authorised to take by Accrington-based Timpsons Ltd to repair trophies which were then to be sold on. On other occasions he also stole money directly from the till which he was not authorised to take.

He admitted to a charge of theft from an employer when appearing before Blackburn magistrates last year. The case was sent to the crown court after magistrates ruled their sentencing powers were insufficient.

The case was adjourned by two different judges last year after Brakewell, who pleaded guilty to stealing £4,320 at the magistrates court, disputed the exact amount he had taken.

The case was listed for a trial of issue last week but it has now been adjourned until next month.

Defence barrister Julian Goode said his client had always said he would be able to state the exact amount he had stolen over a two-month period in 2016 when the prosecution provided receipts of transactions. But the defence was only told the receipts did not exist the day before the trial of issue hearing was due to start and had been left with insufficient time to contact three witnesses who could support their case.

Prosecuting, Emma Kehoe said the Crown was ready to proceed and there had already been too many delays.

Ms Kehoe said: “The Crown’s case in relation to this defendant is he stole money from Timpsons in two ways. The first way was by taking money which was authorised for him to take out of the till. The money was to be used by him to have trophies repaired and sold on. He took money that was authorised for him to take but he didn’t do with that money what he was supposed to do and instead pocketed it.

“He then went on on a number of occasions to take money that he had never been authorised to take.”

Recorder Mukhtar Hussain QC adjourned the case until February 23. Brakewell, of Langden Crescent, Bamber Bridge, was given unconditional bail.