A trusted senior Manx Telecom manager who stole mobile phone handsets worth almost £50,000 from his employer over three years has avoided jail.

Sean Lowther, 36, has been employed at the business for 17 years and rose to become the mobile products manager with responsibility for testing devices and tariffs.

Lowther managed Manx Telecom’s entire retail portfolio and had the power to set up accounts and order products.

However, in November 2024, his employer became suspicious after Lowther ordered an unusually large amount of handsets.

An internal investigation was launched and Manx Telecom ultimately referred the matter to the police who carried out further investigations and discovered more thefts.

Lowther, of Reginald Close, Douglas, appeared at the Court of General Gaol Delivery on Friday for sentence.

Hazel Carroon, prosecuting, told the court Lowther was arrested on November 26, 2024 on suspicion of fraud and theft. He was interviewed but gave no comment.

Further investigations unearthed further evidence of theft.

A number of devices ordered by Lowther were never used on Manx Telecom’s network, confirming they have not been used for work purposes.

Lowther initially sold 35 handsets to the Mazuma resale website for £14,425 while the cost to Manx Telcom stood at £24,576.

A further 21 devices were sold on another resale website, bagging £10,472.50 and which left Manx Telecom £19,329 out of pocket.

Lowther also sold other handsets at local stores and gave one to his ex-wife.

The period of offending was from December 23, 2021 when the first missing handset was booked out until the theft was discovered on November 26, 2024 – almost three years.

Lowther was charged in April this year for one offence of theft from an employer.

Deemster Graeme Cook told Lowther the offending was aggravated by the position of trust he had and by the length of time of the offending. But he also took into account the defendant’s previous good character. Early guilty plea and the fact he was now employed once more.

But he said: ‘You were allowed to proceed for three years without being investigated. I am amazed that, within such a big organisation as Manx Telecom, there was nothing in place to raise these suspicions sooner.’

Deemster Cook handed Lowther a 20-month prison sentence suspended for two years without supervision.

A Proceeds of Crime hearing will take place at a later date to establish how much Lowther will need to pay back and consider any compensation to Manx Telecom or costs.

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