A MAN posed in his former employer’s uniform to make fake purchases and swindle thousands out of three unsuspecting businesses.

Andrew Lacey used his old AFL Trucks work clothes to purchase products from Southampton-based firm Jayar Car Parts, Dorset Auto Spares in Eastleigh and Hyphose in order to make money by selling them on.

The 40-year-old would pretend to be representing AFL Trucks and as the firms didn’t know he was no longer a staff member, they would hand over the parts.

Graham Heath, prosecuting, told Southampton Magistrates’ Court: “In the past he had been employed by AFL Trucks and kept hold of his old uniform. He would order parts from the companies.“They were unaware that his employment had finished and he collected the goods to make a gain from them.

“At one point the three employers complained to AFL Trucks and the defendant then admitted all the offences.”

In total, Dorset Auto Spares were hit for £2,735.99, Jayar Car for £1,250.39 and Hyphose for £59.83.

The court heard that Lacey offered no reason as to why he committed the three charges of frauds by false representation, for which he pleaded guilty to all counts.

Mitigating, Tim Sparkes said that Lacey had been struggling with alcohol and drugs..He He added: “The firms that were victims were not small independent companies but bigger enterprises.“Lacey misused alcohol and crack cocaine while grieving following the death of his parents which made him the primary carer for his elder brother, who himself passed away in 2017.”

Mr Sparkes added that Lacey had an interview to become an employee at South Coast Pools, and that if he gets the job he will be subjected to numerous drug and alcohol checks.

In sentencing Lacey, magistrates said that the offences were “serious, irrespective of the size of the company that was hit”.

Lacey, of Benhams Road, Townhill Park, was sentenced to eight weeks’ imprisonment, suspended for 12 months.

As part of the order he must complete 25 rehabilitation activity requirement days as well as 40 hours’ unpaid work.

He must also pay back £2,735.99 in compensation.