Corby gambling addict faked working as a forklift driver for SIX MONTHS

Eighteen grand for just two days as a forklift driver isn't bad work if you can get it - and that's just what a Corby dad was paid when he fraudulently claimed he'd worked for nearly six months despite only two days on the job.

Paul Blades, 37, turned up for his first day at work as a forklift truck driver on a Bloor Homes building site on January 2, 2019. He'd been employed to do the role by Think Recruitment.

He stayed just two days before going off sick. But he continued to fill in timesheets of between 24 and 57 hours per week until June 22 of that year, forging the signature of the site foreman and sending them in to his recruiters.

But Blades, of Howe Crescent, was rumbled when he failed to submit a timesheet nearly six months later and questions were asked. Think had to reimburse Bloor Homes to the tune of £18,000.

The defendant, who had no criminal record and no previous cautions, was arrested and charged with fraud. He admitted his guilt at a plea hearing.

He appeared at Northampton Crown Court on Thursday (February 4) to be sentenced.

The court heard how he was arrested last January and admitted the crime when questioned by police.

He said that he had 'been in a bad place' and used the cash to pay off gambling debts.

The crown indicated that they will be applying to the court for a confiscation order under the Proceeds of Crime Act for the full amount stolen.

Addressing the court, Blades, who was legally unrepresented, said: "I'd like to apologise for what's happened.

"I've bettered my life. I've got a really, really good job and I'm in a probation period for that. I'm going to be a site manager.

"It would knock me back a lot if I were to go to prison. I'm very apologetic for what I've done. I've picked myself up and my dad's been a great help to me with the gambling.

"Thirty-eight years and I've never been in trouble with the police."

Her Honour Judge Rebecca Crane said: "You only did a few days' work then sent a message saying you were off sick and would return to work. You continued to submit timesheets. You were contacted regularly to check you were on site and you said you were.

"You had a severe gambling addiction. If I were to impose a period in custody it would have a significant impact on your children."

Blades was sentenced to an 18 month community order including the condition to complete 150 hours of unpaid work.