Worker denies £314,000 theft from Newport firm

A 59-year-old Shropshire woman stole more than £314,000 from a county building firm over four years, a court heard today.

Book-keeper, secretary and accountant Marilyn Parkes allegedly transferred cash from Perry and Williamson in Newport into her own account.

She even created a fake employee on the payroll to try and conceal the fraud, Shrewsbury Crown Court was told.

The jury heard the firm's boss, David Perry, had to make 15 members of staff redundant in 2006 just months before the scale of the thefts came to light.

Parkes, of Loak Road in Albrighton, started working for the firm in January 2002.

She denies four charges of theft totalling £314,207.10 between January 1, 2002, and December 31, 2006.

Miss Jane Sarginson, prosecuting, said the firm had about 50 employees and sub-contractors in 2002.

She said Mr Perry "completely trusted" Parkes, who paid all wages for staff using a telephone system.

Miss Sarginson said: "She was using the system to transfer other sums of money into her account. Between June 2002 and January 2006 she did this ever so often.

"In about January 2006 she went one step further and made up the name of an employee who didn't exist, an N. Gittings, who had the same account details as her.

"Mr Perry's business wasn't doing very well and early in 2006 he had to let about 15 people go.

"Mr Perry decided one day when Mrs Parkes wasn't there to find out what was going on. He had a quick look at the accounts and realised that there was this extra employee.

"He rang Telepay and made inquiries and, when he realised the account details for N Gittings were the same as Mrs Parkes, the police were informed."

The jury heard in interview Parkes initially admitted theft, saying Mr Perry had treated her badly and she had taken between £35,000 and £37,000 as she deserved the money.

But Miss Sarginson said when the true amount taken was discovered Parkes claimed she had done it because Mr Perry, who was trying to hide money from his wife, had asked her to.

The trial continues.

By Rhea Alton