A Burton charity says it is shocked and saddened by the actions of a former volunteer who destroyed property and stole almost £600 from the organisation which helps homeless people.
Burton YMCA was providing James Jarvis, of Alexandra Road, Swadlincote, with job skills in the retail and warehouse sector when he stole £588 from the charity's Happy Homes shop, in Borough Road, Burton, where he was a volunteer.
Now, a spokesman for the charity has said Jarvis had been progressing well and was building his confidence, but ultimately he had betrayed the YMCA and landed himself in court with a criminal record.
Jarvis appeared at Southern Derbyshire Magistrates' Court where he admitted a string of offences. The 25-year-old pleaded guilty to entering the YMCA Happy Homes shop, in Burton, on June 18 and stealing £588 in cash.
He also admitted destroying a triple-glazed window worth £600 belonging to Washlands Sports and Social Club, Burton, on June 24. He also pleaded guilty to driving without insurance and otherwise than in accordance with a licence in Meadow Road, Burton, on June 24.
Jarvis was made the subject of a 12-month community order including a rehabilitation activity requirement and was ordered to carry out 140 hours unpaid work. He was also ordered to pay a total of £988 in compensation, which included £588 to the YMCA, as well as £85 court costs and a £85 victim surcharge.
Jarvis' driving licence was endorsed with six points.
After Jarvis' sentencing, a spokesman for Burton YMCA said: "We were shocked when Mr Jarvis, a former volunteer of more than 12 months, stole from the charity. The staff had been working with Mr Jarvis in providing him with retail and warehouse skills to aid him back into the workplace. He had been progressing very well and it was great to see his confidence and self-esteem grow. We were really shocked and saddened by his actions.
"The charity provided evidence for Staffordshire Police to investigate this crime who worked successfully to bring about a prosecution. We are very grateful to the court for awarding compensation."
The Burton YMCA helps the homeless get back on their feet by providing training and support at its Reconnect Centre, in James Street. It also provides cheaper furniture for its residents, who are also able to volunteer at the charity.
