An IT technician at a Liverpool school who used its eBay account to steal more than £17,000 of computer equipment has been given a suspended prison sentence. Neil Baker, 37, of Norfolk Street in the Baltic Triangle, admitted one count of fraud by false representation at Liverpool Crown Court.
Baker was employed as an IT technician at North Liverpool Academy in Everton from around mid-2023. Colleagues initially raised concerns about his "lack of activity", including him "seeming to surf the internet for long periods of time".
Internal investigation uncovered abuse of trust
An internal investigation in September 2024 revealed that Baker had been using the school's eBay account to purchase computer equipment which he then took. Over three to four months, he used academy funds to buy 11 items worth a combined £17,616.
The court heard the offending was an "abuse of trust" conducted "over a sustained period of time". The school was left with "only a series of empty boxes".
Motivation behind the offending
Joanne Daniels, defending, said the offence stemmed from Baker being "financially desperate" to visit and support his three sons in Sunderland. The money went on child maintenance, days out, weekly travel to Sunderland and essential items.
Daniels described Baker's upbringing as "horrendous", adding that he had a strained relationship with his mother and no relationship with his father. She said he was determined to be there for his children, especially one who was 11 at the time and has learning disabilities.
She added: "None of that, of course, excuses any of the offending. It does not lessen the impact on the school, but it might begin to explain his motivation and possible thought process."
Sentence and impact
Baker, who has no previous convictions and is now unemployed, was handed a 12-month imprisonment suspended for 18 months. He must also complete 200 hours of unpaid work, a rehabilitation activity requirement of up to 20 days and a 12-month mental health treatment requirement.
Sentencing, Judge Robert Trevor-Jones said: "It is a serious offence, because at the very root of it is that breach of trust between employer and employee. You were a senior IT technician and had been in that role for about a year before this offending began."
