A TRUSTED employee who took more than £20,000 from his bosses at a car rental firm was jailed for 10 months.

Newport crown court heard that Andrew Jones, of Manor Way, Risca, was invited to run Bassaleg Hire by the owner’s father, who had employed him once before and was "like a father to him", Jones told police afterwards.

Nevertheless, the 36-year-old went on to transfer £20,801 of company money on to his own bank card using an office machine and later pleaded guilty to eight counts of fraud.

Prosecutor Chris Lewis told Newport Crown Court it was "hardly the most sophisticated of frauds", while defence lawyer Andrew Jones also admitted it was "doomed to failure" from the start.

The defendant said he started by paying off his debts but things escalated and he ended up "doing stupid things" with the cash he obtained.

Mr Jones said his client had suffered huge personal turmoil prior to the offences, which began in 2008, following a family tragedy and the break down of his marriage, and turned to spending money to "escape the eye of the storm".

"It’s a matter of deep personal shame for him." he added. "He has gone from being a trusted employee and confidante of that family, to standing with his head bowed in the dock."

A further 24 matters were also taken into consideration by Judge Philip Richards, who told Jones he had brought great shame on himself and his family, and caused many innocent people hurt and hardship.