A former Amazon worker stole £60,000 worth of iPhones from the company's Bolton depot whilst he was employed there.

Arbaz Zafar stole 46 of the smart phones while in a position of trust, Bolton Magistrates Court heard.

The 25-year-old abused his role to steal the mobile phones between December 2022 and February last year.

At the time of his arrest, police seized £25,000 in cash.

At court Zafar, from Hawker Avenue, Great Lever, Bolton pleaded guilty to theft as an employee of 46 iPhones worth £64,532.

Lee Woodyatt, prosecuting, said: “He was working for Amazon at the relevant time. He was working in the depot. He was making orders to his own address. He was using his role to report issues.

“He has access to problem solving system. He was changing phones and having them set out to his own address. It is a breach of a high degree of trust.

“There was also significant planning.”

Mr Woodyatt said the starting point for the offence was a range of between one year and three years and six months so the case would likely have to be sent to the crown court for the sentence.

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Paul Schofield, defending, said: “I have gone through the sentencing guidelines with my client.

“There is no resistance to the case being sent to the crown court.

“There are three points I want to make.

“I would invite unconditional bail, can I also ask that it be ordered there is a probation report, thirdly round £25,000 in cash was seized from my client’s home.

“It can be offered up as compensation to Amazon.”

Chair of the bench Martin Simpson said: “You will be sentenced in April at Bolton crown Court in this building.

“I am going to order a pre-sentence report and you will be given unconditional bail.”