An accountant stole £58,000 only a few months after he had been freed from jail for an earlier fraud.

David Cottle gained the confidence of one firm's directors to such an extent he was left with signed blank cheques.

But a court heard how Cottle breached their trust and stole more than £38,000 from them. Earlier on, he had persuaded another firm he worked for not to press charges after he agreed to repay £20,000.

The money came from another firm he stole from, Chelmsford Crown Court heard.

Cottle was jailed for a total of two years and nine months after admitting six theft charges and two of obtaining employment by deception.

The 45-year-old, of Tamar Drive, Chelmsford, also asked for another 42 similar matters to be considered.

John Donnelley, mitigating, said Cottle had been leading "something of a Walter Mitty existence" and recognised he had a problem.

"He recognises the criminality of what he has done, speaks of remorse and apologises to his former employers." he said.

More in today's Evening Gazette

Published Wednesday, September 29, 2004

Brought to you by the Evening Gazette