THE owners of a family-run business are celebrating after a court gave a suspended 12-week prison sentence to a former employee for stealing goods.

For Nicola and Jeremy Packer of Specialised Welding Products Ltd in Farringdon, the verdict has brought an end to a nightmare which began in July 2009 when they employed Jason Hooker, 31, of Apollo Drive, Bordon, as a warehouse operative.

Mrs Packer said: "Within two months we noticed that portable high value items were missing from our warehouse. The thefts continued despite our best efforts to capture the thief – including the installation of CCTV, covert cameras and alarms on the fire doors.

"We were made aware of product of ours being sold in pubs in the area and was told that someone was able to steal to order."

Mrs Packer said they were finally able to point the finger at Hooker on July 22 this year, due to an incident involving a plasma cutting machine.

For full story, see this week's Alton Herald.