A man stole valuable precision engineering tools from his employer to sell on eBay, in part to contribute to his seriously ill father’s medical bills in Nigeria, a court heard.

Isaac Okafor systematically carried out the thefts from NSK Bearings, in County Durham, over 15 months from March 2021, stealing tools and other engineering items worth more than £134,000, but selling them via the online commerce site for far less than their true worth.

Durham Crown Court was told that among the objects stolen and sold by the machine operator were bespoke tools manufactured only for NSK, based on Peterlee’s South West Industrial Estate.

The Northern Echo: Isaac Okafor, 37, stole items from his workplace, at NSK Bearings in Peterlee, to sell on eBay

Nicoleta Alistari, prosecuting, said when doubt fell on Okafor, in June last year,  his suspected activities were reported to police and he was arrested.

Read more: Sunderland woman serving 20-month sentence for theft from employer

In a search conducted at his workplace and home, stolen items worth about £8,000 were found in his spare tyre.

When interviewed, the defendant made admissions and said he only began stealing when his father became ill.

The 37-year-old defendant, of Ravenswood Square, Sunderland, who has no previous convictions, admitted theft when he appeared before magistrates on June 27.

His case was sent for sentence to the crown court.

Laura Miller, for the defendant, passed on testimonials from various family members and friends of Okafor at the sentencing hearing, while documentation was put forward outlining his father’s hospital treatment.

It also included a copy of a letter of apology sent by the defendant to his, now, former employer.

Read more: Woman stole almost £27k from employer over 13 months

Miss Miller said Okafor, of Nigerian descent, left his home country to study engineering at university in Malaysia.

He came to the UK to complete his studies at Sunderland University before gaining employment.

But Miss Miller said the perception of his family back in Nigeria was that he was in a greater financial position than was the case and the problems with his father’s health led him to succumb to pressure to send money back to help pay for his treatment, the full cost of which far exceeded that.

“When police came to arrest him he couldn’t have been seen to be living a life of luxury and there were no signs of a lavish lifestyle.

“He’s always been a hard-working man and the character references describe him as a person for whom these offences were completely out of character.

“All said it has been a shock that he’s been before the court at all.

“They expressed embarrassment, disgust at his actions and remorse.

“This is a defendant who is described as a ‘low risk’ of re-offending”

Miss Miller added that the defendant, who no longer works, now cares for his dependent family.

Recorder Jamie Hill KC said the defendant’s offending went on for 15 months and, but for being caught, may well have continued.

“You stole various tools, drill bits, inserts and bearings to a total value of £134,823.

“It’s staggering, taking parts from the warehouse and selling them on eBay.

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“I’m sure you were sending financial support to help with your father’s treatment, but the value of the property taken, even though you were just getting a fraction of the true value, you were more than paying for your father’s operations.

“I accept it was not very sophisticated, but it was certainly a gross breach of trust, and not a ‘one-off', given the length of time it carried on for.”

Imposing a 12-month prison sentence, Recorder Hill said he had come to the conclusion only an immediate jail term was a, “suitable punishment”, in the case.