Gambler in tears as he's locked up for theft of £1.7m

A FINANCIAL controller who stole £1.7million from his company to fund a gambling and drug addiction has been jailed for four years.

- By James Podesta

Neil Harris, 51, who wept in the dock, used his position at a high-end recruitment firm to divert business funds to his own bank account.

Over six years he made 123 unauthorised payments as he attempted to recoup huge losses from sports betting, a court heard.

More than £1.5million went on his Betfair account and some on a drug addiction. Swept up in the “high-end” lifestyle at his workplace, he also spent £100,000 on luxury holidays and gifts for his partner, the court was told.