A contractor defrauded a Derby firm of over £5,000 using a company van and fuel card after his contract ended.
The company asked Payne to pay back the cash. He emailed them back, saying “good luck with that”. The firm felt bad, experiencing self-doubt. They felt anxious because of his actions. This Alvaston business was actually defrauded.
Judge Martin Hurst gave Payne a suspended sentence. It was six months, suspended for eighteen months. He had the van and card by accident. This happened between October 2021 and March 2022. He used them while not working there.
The total fuel cost was £5,087.07. He filled up several times a day, sometimes. He likely let others use the card, the Judge inferred.
Others truly suffered from this crime. Police stopped him in 2024, finding out about the warrant. Stuart Pattinson said Payne contracted with Ganywede Solutions. The company is on London Road. He had a van and fuel card for traffic work.
He stopped working there in October 2021. A company error let him keep them both. He used the card to get over £5,000 in fuel. The fleet manager saw the card was still active.
They found the error in their administration. The card was used multiple times in one day. They asked him to pay it back. They were offering a repayment plan. He emailed saying it wasn’t his fault. He claimed he was left with the van.
Police finally stopped him in 2024. They found he was wanted for the Derby fraud. Payne admitted fraud. He has past convictions, but none recently.
Oliver Pateman spoke for Payne. He said Payne has three sons. Their ages are ten, six, and a newborn. Payne met his father for the first time, sending him reeling.
The judge ordered unpaid work. Payne must do 125 hours. He also must attend 20 rehabilitation sessions. He must pay £200 towards prosecution costs. Any other claims must go through claims court.