Kingston employee in the dock over dozens of missing University phones

A former KU employee has appeared in court, accused of stealing more than 70 mobile phones.


Sofia Capel


Christopher Kelly, 37, is alleged to have stolen 76 mobile phones, including 40 iPhones, in August 2012 when he managed the upgrade of staff phones at the University.


Mr Kelly, from Hampshire, is also alleged to have sold the phones to mobile recyclers Envirofone and Mazuma for £21,561.19 in total.


He appeared at South Western Magistrates’ Court charged with two counts of theft by an employee, fraud by abuse of position and removal of criminal property over a period of two years.


Kingston University are not allowed to comment on an ongoing investigation.


In 2010, both Mazuma and Envirofone signed a Government agreement to not buy any phone reported as stolen.


The Office for National Statistics revealed figures in September last year, showing 600,000 phone thefts from June 2011 to June 2012, the third consecutive annual rise.