Clitheroe shop boss jailed for 10 months

David Cowgill, 48, of Church Brow Gardens, was sentenced at Preston Crown Court today for stealing £30,000 belonging to David Marsden.

As Judge Charles Mahon read out the sentence, gasps were heard in the public gallery and Cowgill bowed his head.

The court heard that Cowgill, who helped run Cowgill's toy shop, stationers and newsagents in Market Place, had started stealing in order to pay off mounting debts.

He had been entrusted with the responsibility of banking the takings, but instead of putting the full amount into the company bank account, he had stolen substantial sums of money over a period of 18 months.

The theft was discovered by Mr Marsden’s accountant.

Judge Mahon told him: “You are a man who was held in esteem and you have forfeited that."

The court heard how Cowgill, who has since declared himself bankrupt, had paid back the stolen cash to Mr Marsden in October, last year, after being left funds in a legacy following the sale of a relative’s house.

In an interview with the Lancashire Telegraph in May he apologised for the theft and had said that he had been desperate.

Cowgill, who has three children, ran Cowgill's toy shop, stationers and newsagents with his father John before it was sold to Mr Marsden in 1999.

He continued to run the shop before being accused of theft in September, last year.

The theft had happened over the previous two years.

After the case, Ian Lloyd, the president of the Clitheroe Chamber of Trade and Commerce, said: “It is such an old, established business and I feel sorry for his family as he has let them down."

Michael Ranson, leader of Ribble Valley Borough Council said: “It is sad that this has happened.

"I hope that when he gets out of prison he will be able to resume his life."

Cowgill's ancestors launched the Clitheroe Advertiser and Times before selling it in 1963.

He is the nephew of Bafta award-winning Bryan Cowgill, who was BBC1 controller.