A SENIOR manager at BT who bought £78,000-worth of mobile phones before leaving the company later sold them over the internet.

Blackburn magistrates heard the purchase was put through the books as a goodwill gesture for a corporate client.

But subsequent inquiries revealed the client had only been given four of the phones.

Andrew Milligan, 48, of Ribchester Road, Clayton-le-Dale, pleaded guilty to stealing the phones from BT.

He was committed on bail to Preston Crown Court to be sentenced on February 11.

Catherine Allan, prosecuting, said Milligan had been employed as a sector sales manager and account director with the BT corporate division.

He left the company in November 17 under a leaver scheme.

“After his departure concerns were raised about an internal order,” said Miss Allan.

“One hundred and thirty-four iPhones had been ordered at a cost to BT of £78,000."

“They had ostensibly been ordered as goodwill gestures for a major corporate client.”

Miss Allan said the client had been spoken to and they had only received four phones.

“Investigations revealed the order had been delivered to the defendant’s home address,” said Miss Allan.

“They had then been sold to the general public all over the country. BT say they are owed £76,679 as a result.”

Miss Allan said the offence represented a breach of a high degree of trust and the sentencing guidelines suggested a starting point of two years in custody.