Glasgow Footasylum Worker’s Theft Shut Store Jobs Lost

Tyreece McDonald admitted guilt in court. He stole from the Footasylum store, a Glasgow shop featuring designer clothes. He worked there, leading a theft gang that ultimately caused the shop to close due to their losses, resulting in twenty-two people losing their jobs.

McDonald was the inside man in the plan, targeting the store located in Silverburn Shopping Centre. He and other staff collaborated with three others, pretending to scan expensive items at the till.

Instead of scanning the correct items, they scanned cheap alternatives; often shoe cleaning wipes. This resulted in a significant financial loss for the business, leading the company to shut down the branch store, causing fifteen employees to lose their jobs.

McDonald received a £3,000 redundancy payment. However, an investigation later uncovered the theft. McDonald admitted to stealing £29,000. The Sheriff described it as a breathtaking case and a gross breach of trust.

The profit protection specialist found irregularities, prompting Sean Brodie to review the store’s CCTV footage. The footage showed a dodgy transaction by McDonald; the receipt was unusually short considering the number of items.

Brodie reviewed more of McDonald’s transactions and discovered many low-value items scanned, particularly wipes and socks. The CCTV footage showed customers receiving expensive goods during these transactions.

Visits from the collaborators were pre-arranged. Staff removed tags from valuable items and would scan a low-value item instead, creating the appearance that the customer was paying legitimately.

McDonald carried out this process thirty times, with an estimated loss of £29,000. Consequently, the company closed the unprofitable store. Fifteen of twenty-two staffers lost their jobs, while others were moved to different Glasgow stores.

Lewis Holmes stole £2,500 of items on three visits, Josh Richardson took £3,000 of goods in two visits, while John Mack stole £2,500 of goods in three visits.

McDonald confessed to the police that he needed cash for cocaine. He claimed that the scheme spiraled out of control. He also stated that he did not know everyone involved.

Richardson, Holmes, and Mack also admitted theft. McDonald took full responsibility for his actions and didn’t blame anyone else. Holmes was in Thailand and did not attend court.

McDonald will remain in custody until sentencing. Mack is scheduled to be ordained before next month’s proceedings.