Pollard escapes jail
Former Bookable Holidays director and ABTA membership committee member Johnny Pollard has narrowly escaped a spell in prison after admitting to stealing more than ï¿¡5,000 from his ex-employer.
Pollard, 39, received a prison sentence of 12 weeks, but it was suspended for two years on condition he doesn't commit another offence. He was also ordered by Newbury Magistrates Court to do 240 hours unpaid work.
Pollard had earlier admitted defrauding his employer out of ï¿¡5,591, which was the proceeds of three holiday sales. He had persuaded clients to pay money for the holidays directly into his personal account, but he admitted to the theft when confronted by managing director Jason Dwyer who discovered the rogue bookings.
Pollard, who has been on bail since November, received the suspended sentence after it was noted that he had repaid ï¿¡6,000. In mitigation, he told the court he had been affected by the death of a family member. The court heard Pollard had previous convictions “of a similar nature”, including obtaining property by deception.
He left Bookable Holidays just two months after joining the company in June this year.
He had previously worked as commercial director at online travel agency On the Beach.
The court heard Pollard had previous convictions “of a similar nature”, including obtaining property by deception.
By Linsey McNeill
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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