A LOAN manager lost £2,000 – then “cooked the books” to buy time to pay back his employer, a court heard.

Daniel Gray lost the money, a float given to him by doorstep loan firm Provident Personal Credit, after leaving it in the glovebox of his unlocked car, Basingstoke Magistrates’ Court heard.

Fiona McMurray, prosecuting, said the 32-year-old did not tell his company about the loss, fearing he would lose his job, and took out high-interest loans from other companies to pay it back.

His attempts to hide and repay the loss eventually meant he defrauded the company out of £2,800, the court heard.

Miss McMurray said Gray started working at the firm in February 2013, and his role was to meet with customers, collect their debts and issue loans. To do that, he received a £2,000 weekly float from Provident, the court heard.

Miss McMurray said: “On about July 13, 2013, the defendant lost £2,000 of the company’s money which he failed to report.

“To compensate, the defendant began to take out further loans and credit from other companies which he was unable to pay back and so began to adjust the accounts to not show the loss.”

A Provident employee discovered the fraud in November 11, 2013. The police were informed and Gray was sacked.

Father-of-two Gray, of Ferndown Close, Beggarwood, pleaded guilty to one count of fraud by abuse of position.

Isabel Hogg, defending, said no customers were affected by the fraud.

She added: “This is not a man who has been deliberately dishonest.

“He had a job handling cash which started well but he got himself in a complete mess.”

Presiding magistrate Clive Cumner handed Gray an 18-month community order with 250 hours unpaid work, £390 compensation and £50 costs.