IT worker jailed for stealing loyalty card points

A Sainsbury’s IT manager has been jailed for 20 months after stealing millions of Nectar loyalty card points.

James Stevenson set up hundreds of fake accounts for the loyalty card scheme and credited them with points worth over £80,000. He used the £8,120 worth of points to purchase goods from Sainsbury's.

When Sainsbury’s discovered what had happened, Mr Stevenson said he had found 'a loophole' in the system.

Edward McKiernan, prosecuting, said:

"There wasn't a proper check in place. He was a trusted employee so no one was looking over his shoulder."

Mr Stevenson was also ordered to repay £8,120 to Sainsbury’s.