Software consultant in Wakefield sold company car to pay off gambling debts

A desperate software consultant sold off his company car to pay off gambling debts, a court was told.
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Adnan Afzal, 34, had been given a Mercedes C-Class when he was working for Stroma in Wakefield, Leeds Crown Court was told this week.

Prosecuting, Joseph Bell, said in March 2019 Afzal asked the fleet manager of the company for the car's log book so he could apply for a parking permit.

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Two days later Afzal contacted a car dealer about a black Audi that he had seen for sale online.

Computer consultant sold his car that belonged to his employers.Computer consultant sold his car that belonged to his employers.
Computer consultant sold his car that belonged to his employers.

After Afzal went to see the Audi, he offered a part exchange for his Mercedes. The car salesman ran a check on the Mercedes and found no outstanding finance.

He completed the swap deal, with the car salesman also transferring an additional £5,200 to Afzal.

Afzal then sent the log book to him.

Just days after the transaction, the salesman received word from the DVLA that the keeper details of the Mercedes had been altered, which concerned him.

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When a manager at Stroma rang his Afzal about the Mercedes, he told him he was in hospital and the car was parked outside. However, he was actually in Dublin with his partner.

Meanwhile, the car salesman successfully sold the Mercedes, but received word from the buyer two days later that it had been seized by police.

Shocked, he offered to pay her back the £11,000 she paid to save his reputation.

Afzal was interviewed by police and he admitted his crimes, saying he needed the money to pay off gambling debts.

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The court was told that Afzal had been dealt with at Bedfordshire Magistrates' Court for a charge of theft and fraud for selling another car in similar circumstances.

For that he received a 10-month jail term, suspended for 12 months and given 150 hours of unpaid work.

During his latest appearance at Leeds Crown Court, no mitigation for Afzal was presented by his barrister.

Afzal, of Mayhew Crescent, High Wycombe, Bucklinghamshire, admitted a charge of theft and fraud.

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Judge Robin Mairs gave him another 10-month jail term, suspended for 24 months.

He said: "There was an element of certainty that it would come back to your door, but such was your desperation that you were willing to take the risk."