From the
Reading Evening Post:
Crooked train boss Ian Evered avoids jail
A Warfield train boss who pocketed thousands of pounds of fare dodgers^ cash vowed to single-handedly re-paint a train station if it meant he could stay out of prison.
Gambling addict Ian Evered, 44, of Horatio Avenue, made the promise at Reading Magistrates^ Court on Monday after being warned he could be jailed.
Evered previously admitted two counts of theft from First Great Western. Between May 1, and May 12, 2008, he admitted stealing two cheques worth ^2,096.
Between August 15, 2006, and November 2, 2007, he pilfered cheques totalling ^79.70, also belonging to First Great Western who employed him as a prosecutions manager based at Reading station.
Ironically, Evered^s job ^ he had worked at the train company since 1999 ^ was to take money from people who had not paid for their train ticket.
Ruth Draisey, defending, said: ^He acknowledges he was in a position of trust and he had a responsibility. He was of hitherto good character. He carried out his duties with diligence. Clearly in May 2008 things really did go wrong.^
She said he was addicted to gambling and his marriage broke up although he was still on good terms with his estranged wife, a psychiatric nurse, who attended court.
She continued: ^He is extremely remorseful and anxious. It^s led to a huge degree of shame. He has lost everything because of this offence. He said it^s been a life changing experience never to be repeated. He has lost all his work colleagues who have not called him.^
She said he would be willing to make it up to the train company in anyway he could ^ including repainting Reading station.
Chair of the bench Felicity Hewison did not take him up on his offer and instead gave him a jail sentence for 26 weeks, suspended for two years.
Evered was also ordered to carry out 300 hours of unpaid work and pay ^2,175 compensation to First Great Western.
He was ordered to pay ^600 costs.
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