A restaurant worker for global food brand Giovanni Rana has been jailed for a year for stealing £57,000 to fund his gambling addiction.
Jamie Richbell, 42, was employed at the firm’s restaurant in Regent’s Place when he began pocketing the takings instead of putting them in the bank.
The thefts only emerged when, racked with guilt, he confessed to his boss.
At Blackfriars crown court, Judge Deva Pillay sentenced Richbell to 12 months in jail.
The court heard he was hired by Giovanni Rana, which is famous for its pasta and sauces, in 2015, and had the task of banking restaurant takings.
He started stealing last May, creating false accounts to cover up the thefts.
In January he phoned UK managing director Scott Ellison to confess.
Richbell, of South Woodford, admitted one charge of theft by employee.
His sobbing fiancée watched from the public gallery as he was led to the cells, and the court heard he will now have to put his wedding plans on hold.
