Sunderland takeaway's warning after new driver made off with cash

Rowshuni, in Ocean Road, took to Facebook to find a delivery driver for Wednesday evening (October 14) when all of their current drivers were unavailable.

They’d hoped to provide a shift for someone who was struggling to find work during the pandemic.

Instead, the man they hired delivered cold food, made off with £50 cash and cost them hundreds in cancelled or missed orders, claims the manager.

Busy staff had forgotten to make a note of the new driver’s registration and licence and he decided to take advantage.

Manager Nazmul Islam, who was on a day off, said: “Our permanent driver had called the day before and said he wasn’t available.

"We’d decided to look on Facebook for people who were looking for a job and struggling and maybe didn’t have loads of experience.

"This man got in touch and said he had some experience and knew the area well. I’d asked the staff to take his registration and licence when he came in but there was a mix up and they hadn’t. That’s what’s tempted him.”

The driver only delivered some orders before taking off around 8pm with £50 in cash and takeaway bags.

Staff are now in the process of getting the details from neighbouring CCTV so the incident can be reported to police.

"It’s not just the £50,” said Mr Islam, of Rowshuni. “Food was delivered late and cold and that could stop customers coming back to us in the future.

"We had to close early and that’s cost us a couple of hundred pounds.

"We want to warn other takeaways and remind them to ensure they get the licence and registration and don’t make the same mistake we did.

"This is a time where a lot of businesses are struggling and with Covid-19 a lot of people are opting for delivery rather than collection.

"Had it been any other night he could have made off with a lot more than he did.

"We’re grateful for a lot of support and kind feedback on social media.”

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