Ex-employee kept company fuel card and stole almost £8,000 worth of petrol

Paul Crake was meant to return all business equipment, tools and van when his contract with Arrow Security Shutters was terminated in January last year.

But Newcastle Crown Court heard the 55-year-old, of Salisbury Street, South Shields, ignored the request and members of staff were forced to recover his works vehicle from outside his home.

Prosecutor Michael Bunch said it was when the firm received its fuel bill it was revealed that Crake, who has a previous conviction for stealing from an employer, had kept using the company card.

Mr Bunch said: "The defendant's fuel card, which should have been deactivated since January 21, had, in fact, been used 108 times since that date, for transactions totalling £7,937.

"Matters were reported to the police."

The court heard when officers searched Crake's home officers found company property, including the fuel card.

But the court heard a tablet and some tools, worth almost £2,000, were never recovered.Mr Bunch said Crake's contract had been terminated with the company due to difficulties with his "security clearance".

He has a previous conviction for stealing tools from another company he worked at.

Crake pleaded guilty to theft and fraud.

Miss Recorder Davies sentenced him to 12 months imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, with rehabilitation and drug treatment requirements.

Peter Walsh, defending, said Crake has mental health difficulties as a result of his dependency on cocaine, that he wishes to address.