A stockroom worker at Harrods who blamed the cost of living after swiping more than £15,000 worth of designer goods has walked free – after a judge agreed London ‘is very expensive’.
Marco Taffoni, 29, stole six Bottega Veneta handbags while working at the department store between November 2023 and July 2024.
He had lost his job with the Italian high fashion house Fendi before he took on a job at the world-famous store in Knightsbridge on the Bottega Veneta counter.
Aesha Baral, prosecuting, told Isleworth Crown Court: ‘[Taffoni] was held after he had attempted to leave the store with a handbag hidden inside his own backpack, which was inside a Waitrose bag which had been sealed.
‘He had attempted to leave the store without paying for the bag. He then admitted to police that he had taken a number of bags previously, since around November 2023.’
Taffoni had swiped between eight and ten bags and sold them on, using an online platform called Vestiaire Collective.
The stolen items were worth £15,150, the court heard.
‘He stated that he had stolen the bags because his rent had increased and due to the general cost of living crisis,’ the prosecutor said.
Taffoni claimed he made up to £5,000 from selling the bags.
Libby Anderson, defending Taffoni, told the court: ‘He is now in a position to make full repayment of the loss he caused. He is willing and able to do so.’
Ms Anderson said he has expressed through her ‘very real remorse and that he is bitterly ashamed.
‘It was his reaction to finding himself under significant financial pressure. Of course that does not excuse it. He has been brought back to his senses with a sharp jolt.’
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Taffoni has since found work at a different store, the court heard.
Judge Sarah Paneth told Taffoni: ‘Although this is a very serious offence what is impressive is that you made an immediate confession.
‘I have no doubt you feel real shame for what you have done.
‘London is a very expensive place and you could not make ends meet having lost your job at Fendi as a store controller, in I believe 2021.’
Taffoni was also helping support a friend who had also lost his job at Fendi, the judge said.
‘This was committed at a time of intense stress for you. There are very good reasons to think this is not going to reoccur,’ she went on.
‘I appreciate that you might not have told your future employers. It might come to light.
‘I have every confidence this will not be repeated. I very much hope that I am not wrong about this.’
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The judge sentenced Taffoni to six months imprisonment suspended for 12 months. He must also perform 100 hours of unpaid work and 10 days of rehabilitation activity requirement (RAR).
He was also ordered to pay £11,740 compensation with a victim surcharge of £154.
Taffoni, of Finchley Road, Barnet, north London, admitted one count of theft by employee.
He must pay the compensation by 1 September 2025.
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