A Sainsbury’s data expert has been found guilty of scamming the supermarket chain out of £70,000 worth of Nectar points, after he set up a raft of accounts under false names to plunder the loyalty card scheme.
James Stevenson, 45, of Muswell Hill, London, who was a lead analyst programmer for Sainsbury’s, has been found guilty at the Old Bailey, after pleading guilty to charges of fraud and theft.
He is known to have spent more than £8,000 on groceries during the scam, which is believed to go back to 2002. Points can be redeemed at Homebase, Argos, Laithwaites Wines, and resorts including Alton Towers.
Stevenson also pleaded guilty to theft of millions of Nectar points with a redemption value of £73,207.80 by transferring them to accounts in his possession between November 17, 2002, and May 24, 2003.
Judge Peter Thornton QC agreed to delay sentencing until January 14 so he could spend Christmas with his family – but warned him he could still face jail.
He said: “I am going to adjourn your case for sentence. You will remain on bail unconditionally but that is no promise as to what is likely to happen.
“The most likely outcome is a custodial sentence but a pre-sentence report will be prepared upon you by the probation service. I keep all options open.”
