NatWest manager stole £344,000 from cash machine to fund 'hidden' gambling addiction

For eight years, John Toms, 44, had a secret - and it started to take over his life.

The former NatWest bank manager used his access as a senior staff member to steal £344,000 from the cash machines at the Moorgate branch of the bank where he worked.

He would creep into the City of London premises in the early morning, switching money around to ensure he was covering his tracks after taking wads of cash from the machines.

From January 2016 all the way until April 2024, he meticulously falsified records and forged signatures to make sure the missing money was not discovered.

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Toms was spared jail time this week and handed down a two-year suspended sentence for the ongoing theft, after he pleaded guilty to theft by an employee and false accounting.

He also has to undergo an unpaid work and rehab programme over the next year - and his lawyers told the court he was "happy" for his £100,000 pension to be given to NatWest as reparations - but the bank is still short nearly a quarter of a million pounds.

Toms, who the court heard has cancer, stole the money "virtually daily" to fund an ongoing gambling addiction.

NatWest finally clocked what had been going on, and two internal investigations took place before it became a criminal matter. Toms was earning £47,000 annually by the time he left his post, after exploiting his insider knowledge about the bank's internal processes to get away with swiping the cash.

The prosecutor in the case said, "At the end of the day, virtually daily, he would take money from the registers.

"He would then come in early the next morning before others arrived, access the ATMs, take the precise amount he had taken the night before from the ATMs, and put them in the cash register."

Experts have exclusively told the Mirror that Toms' case follows the pattern of risk-taking behaviour that comes with a gambling addiction, with one pointing out that the gambling industry's role in the escalating pattern is often totally ignored.

Jacqui Bell, from GamLEARN, a support service for people impacted by gambling, explains: "This case is a stark reminder of how gambling disorder, a recognised mental health condition, can drive people to crime.

"What’s missing from the headlines is the gambling industry’s role, especially the lack of affordability checks or intervention.

"We see this pattern often: someone spirals into addiction, and the industry takes and keeps all the proceeds of crime and looks away.

"This isn’t about excusing crime, it’s about demanding stronger gambling regulation. Until that happens, these tragedies will keep repeating."

Victoria Corbishley, the Chief Executive Officer of GamCare, notes that Toms' case is a "concerning" reminder of just how often " thoughts of gambling can take over" someone's life, taking a "huge toll" not just on them, but those around them.

"While we know many people can gamble safely, for those who struggle with gambling harm, the consequences can be very severe," the expert explains, "including financial difficulties, relationship breakdown, and even entering the criminal justice system.”

"At GamCare, we are concerned of stories where people are spending funds from businesses and organisations to fund their gambling. We know that this can lead to significant financial difficulties and that it can take a huge toll on both the individuals and those around them.”

She adds, "We regularly hear from people who call GamCare’s National Gambling Helpline of how thoughts of gambling can take over their lives. Gambling harm is often a very hidden issue, and this can create barriers for people seeking to support."

Because of this "hidden" nature of the harmful habit, it can be difficult to spot - both for the individual concerned, and their loved ones.

However, there are some signs that you can look out for that might indicate someone's gambling habit has turned harmful, and they might be poised to start escalating risk-taking behaviour.

"While it is sometimes difficult to identify when a problem is occurring in someone else," Victoria explains, "common signs could include people withdrawing from usual social activities, changing mood patterns, lying about how they are spending their time, or other financial signs or requests to borrow money that might indicate gambling."

Anna Hargrave, Deputy CEO of GambleAware echoed these sentiments, explaining that the "stigma" surrounding gambling addiction often means people suffer in silence, too ashamed to ask for help, or even admit what is going on.

This shame surrounding gambling, she argues, has a negative impact on the whole country, and the reality is that anyone has the potential to become addicted to gambling.

"Gambling can be addictive and can cause serious harm to people’s mental and physical health, relationships, and finances," Anna explains.

"This harm affects not only those who gamble but also their loved ones and wider society too. We are particularly concerned about the impact of stigma, as GambleAware research has found that many people experiencing harm hide their gambling or avoid support due to feelings of stigma and shame.

"It’s important people know that gambling harm can affect anyone and that there is a range of help and support available."

If you need support or advice about reducing, quitting, or staying gamble-free, use GambleAware's Support Tool App and search GambleAware for advice, tools, and support

You can also seek support from GamCare's National Gambling Helpline, which is available 24 hours a day and can offer free, confidential support. Contact them on 0808 8020 133 for help reducing the impact that gambling is having on your life or those you care about.