James Stevenson was an IT worker for Sainsbury's.

An IT worker used his job at Sainsbury’s to steal millions of Nectar points worth over £70,000, a court heard.

James Stevenson, 45, of Alexandra Park Road, Muswell Hill, set up a series of accounts under false names to take advantage of the store’s reward card scheme.

Points can be redeemed at cinemas, Argos, Amazon.co.uk on Eurostar, the Orient Express and resorts including Alton Towers.

The father-of-two is known to have spent more than £8,000 on groceries during the scam, which is believed to go back to 2002.

Stevenson, who was employed as a lead analyst programmer, appeared at the Old Bailey on Friday, November 26, and pleaded guilty to charges of fraud and theft.

Judge Peter Thornton QC agreed to delay sentencing until January 14 so he could spend Christmas with his family - but warned him he could still face jail.

He said: “I am going to adjourn your case for sentence. You will remain on bail unconditionally but that is no promise as to what is likely to happen.

“The most likely outcome is a custodial sentence but a pre-sentence report will be prepared upon you by the probation service. I keep all options open.”

Stevenson admitted fraud by false representation from October 9, 2007, by using £8,120 of nectar points for shopping.

He also pleaded guilty to theft of millions of nectar points with a redemption value of £73,207.80 by transferring them to accounts in his possession between November 17, 2002, and May 24, 2003.