Worker's fraud with company cheques

A plasterer stole a chequebook from his boss before writing out thousands of pounds' worth of cheques to himself, a court heard.

Christopher Butler admitted stealing £3,400 from Lee Molineux, as well as nine counts of fraud.

Mr Steve Knowles, prosecuting, told Cannock Magistrates' Court that Butler, aged 23, of Sparrowhawk Way, Heath Hayes, had been employed by Mr Molineux's Moulton Contracts firm for four weeks in September of last year but had access to the company chequebook.

Mr Knowles said that Mr Molineux used to pick up Butler up in the works van – which contained the chequebook.

Mr Molineux later noticed discrepancies in the account of the firm, based in Cannock.

"Various cheques had been cashed for various amounts between £300 and £480," said Mr Knowles

Mr Molineux found nine cheques totalling £3,400 had been cashed at the Chequemate store in Mill Street, Cannock.

A tenth cheque – for £400 – was stopped before Butler could cash it.

"It was ascertained that Mr Butler had been into the Chequemate shop around 50 or 60 times," said Mr Knowles.

When he was confronted, Butler admitted the deception and offered to work for free until the debt had been paid off.

But Mr Molineux refused and took the case to the police.

Butler was arrested and admitted he had taken the cheques.

Mr Ian Hodnett, defending, said Butler had no previous convictions but had had a "big problem with cannabis addiction."

The case was adjourned until January 21 for pre-sentence reports.