Cash, beer tempt manager

A panelbeater promoted to managing a branch of his employer’s business used the opportunity to pocket cash and buy beers for staff on Friday, a court has heard.

Clinton Rex Hayman, 32, stole thousands of dollars during the 18 months he was manager at Stratford Panel Beaters, police prosecutor Sergeant Steve Hickey said in the Ha¯ wera District Court on Tuesday.

Hayman had been an employee of the victim for about 14 years.

The fraudulent activity began about February 1, 2017, after Hayman was promoted, Hickey said.

The police summary of facts detailed how Hayman had defrauded nearly $6000.

‘‘The defendant would on occasions create an invoice for the client, pocket a portion of the money, change the invoice and bank the remaining portion of the money to the company,’’ he said.

‘‘The defendant would also get clients to pay ‘cash’ whilst getting store workers to carry out the repairs which, unknown to them, were ‘cash’ jobs.’’

One customer had work completed on August 25, 2017, on a ute tailgate and paid $2000 cash, Hickey said. ‘‘The defendant paid $400 towards the part and an unknown amount for the paint work; he then kept $1600.’’

Hayman told the police that he was just tempted by the cash and that he had used the money to buy beers on Fridays for the workers, Hickey said.

Hayman pleaded guilty to one charge of obtains by deception over $1000, which carries a maximum penalty of seven years in jail.

Lawyer Neal Harding said his client disputed some of the amounts alleged to have been taken in the police summary, but this would be worked out between himself and the police prosecutor before sentencing.

Judge Stephen Harrop remanded Hayman at large until December 12 for sentencing and ordered a pre-sentence report.