Sales rep ‘betrayed’ pal by pocketing £4,000

A DISHONEST sales representative “betrayed” his friend by pocketing thousands of pounds after he gave him a trusted job with his small family-run business.

Martin Perks, 54, admitted taking nearly £4,000 from Tanner Electrics during the six months he was employed by the vehicle servicing company based in Leckwith Industrial Estate in Cardiff.

Sentencing at Cardiff Crown Court, Judge Jeremy Jenkins told the defendant his behaviour was “wholly dishonest”.

The court heard Perks was employed as a sales rep between September 2011 and March 2012.

Nuhu Gobir, prosecuting, said the defendant had known the owner Phil Tanner and his son Lee Tanner for 10 years and they viewed him as a friend.

The business was in a “vulnerable position” at the time due to the recession and jobs were at risk.

Mr Gobir told the court Perks had worked in the industry for many years and was employed for his expertise.

He added: “He was effectively fully trusted by the company. They completely relied on him.”

Perks was responsible for ordering vehicle parts, collecting deliveries, sending invoices and collecting payments. Mr Gobir said his employers realised he was “very disorganised” with paperwork but thought he had a good work ethic.

He added: “By January 2012 it was clear there were discrepancies in his accounts.”

The matter was investigated by an auditor and it was found Perks had stolen £1,225.16 from haulage company TMD Transport.

Prosecutors said he persuaded the director to pay in cash, which he kept for himself instead of paying into his company’s account.

The court heard Perks defrauded his employer out of £1,516.48 by placing orders in the name of M&M Commercial Repair garage.

Mr Gobir said the defendant collected the items and sold them on, keeping the proceeds for himself.

That company director later confirmed he had only placed one order and revealed Perks “begged” him to pretend he had placed more, telling him he would be sacked.

Prosecutors said the defendant also ordered items worth £1,086.14 from supplier Fleet Wheel.

He stated he had returned the items but Fleet Wheel confirmed the items were never returned.

In a statement read out in court a spokeswoman for Tanner Electrics said: “We all feel so betrayed.”

She added the business had to cover its losses and it took several years to recover.

Perks was arrested on suspicion of theft by employee in February 2014 and accepted he was “disorganised with paperwork” but denied stealing anything.

Mr Gobir said: “The prosecution say his conduct went beyond being disorganised – this was straightforward pocketing of money.”

He added: “There is clear evidence the defendant was trying to cover his tracks.”

Prosecutors argued there was a breach of a high degree of trust, with the defendant causing a total loss of £3,825.78.

Perks, from Westward Place in Bridgend, admitted six counts of theft and 12 counts of fraud.

Andrew Davies, defending, said his client had no previous convictions. He said Perks, who suffers from ill health, sold his house in 2012 and was dependent on benefits.

Judge Jenkins described the offending as “serious criminal misconduct”. Perks was jailed for 52 weeks, suspended for 18 months, and ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work. He must also pay £500 in costs.