UK - Morrisons employee appears in court over staff data theft fraud charge

Telegraph & Argus

A Morrisons employee has denied abusing his position to fraudulently disclose personal data at the supermarket firm.

Andrew Skelton, a senior internal auditor, denied charges under the Computer Misuse Act, the Data Protection Act and the Fraud Act.

Skelton, 43, from Liverpool, was charged with the offences after an investigation at the Morrisons head office in Bradford.

The supermarket employee appeared at Bradford Magistrates' Court and spoke only to confirm his name, address and date of birth and to enter not guilty pleas.

The court clerk read the charges to Skelton, who stood in the witness box wearing a dark suit, pale blue tie and glasses.

He is accused of using a computer to gain unauthorised access to a programme or data with the intent to commit fraud; knowingly or recklessly disclosing personal data without the consent of the data controller; and conspiring to commit fraud by abusing his position with the intention of causing loss to Morrisons supermarkets.

All the offences are alleged to have taken place between November last year and March 20 this year.

Skelton, of Water Street, Liverpool, was released on bail and will appear at Bradford Crown Court on December 16