Worker who stole £1,500 cash ordered to pay Fastcar back

Andrew Charles, aged 51, from High Street, Bloxwich, worked for Fastcar, an automotive parts shop, travelling around the country and collecting money from customers.

He headed to Sheffield on August 9 to collect numerous payments for the High Street firm, totalling £1,500, Walsall Magistrates Court heard.

But when he returned to Bloxwich, he told bosses his car had been broken into and the money taken, along with a bag of his own.

CCTV footage later sourced by the company showed that he was driving back to his home at the time he alleged the break-in took place.

When asked by his employer to attend a meeting to explain what had happened, Charles declined and was not seen again.

Charles had pleaded not guilty to one count of theft by employee at the magistrates court on December 12 last year. However, he was found guilty of the same charge on April 5 following a trial.

Prosecutor, Mr David Devine, said: "In August last year, the defendant was employed by Fastcar and one of his duties was driving around the country collecting payments.

"On this occasion he collected the money but it was not returned to the company.

"He told them his vehicle had been broken into and that a bag containing the money had been taken.

"The company did some digging showing that at the alleged time he was going back to his address. He was confronted and asked to discuss what had happened but never appeared back at work again.

"He also put forward his version of events in interview with police."

The court heard Charles had four previous convictions for benefit fraud in 2015.

Mr Stephen Bailey, defending, said: "It has been suggested by probation that due to the aggravating features in this case, such as previous convictions, this could cross the custody threshold.

"I can't argue with that and I have explained to him what a suspended sentence is.

"I would say that if any fines are put in place that they would be difficult to get back because this job is going to seriously stand in the way of him getting employment."

Charles was given a prison sentence of 84 days, suspended for two years, and told to carry out 150 hours unpaid work.

He was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £115, court costs of £600 and to repay the £1,500.

Magistrate Mrs Eileen Jones said: "We have heard what has been said against you and in your defence and we have to admit that this is a matter we take very seriously."