A MAN from Old Hall cried in the dock as he was given a suspended sentence by a judge, despite defrauding his former employers to help fund his cocaine addiction.

Andrew Betteridge, of Tasman Close, appeared in Chester Crown Court on Wednesday May 22 for three counts of fraud by false in representation.

The court heard that Betteridge, 39, began filing fraudulent refunds through his former employers, Edmundson Electrical, in December 2021.

Betteridge, who was the area manager, used different cards to collect the money from his former employers to help feed his cocaine addiction, which had left him £9,000 in debt.

When an account manager at the firm noticed the fraudulent refunds being passed through the system, Betteridge was questioned but denied his behaviour.

Later, when he admitted to defrauding the business, he resigned.

However, after handing in his resignation, Betteridge went on to falsely claim to still be an employee of the company and buy items in June 2022.

These included Apple Airpods, a log burner and Christmas decorations, among a list of other products.

Betteridge initially pleaded not guilty to the charges, but change his plea when he attended court in 2023.

At his sentencing, the prosecution for the case, Helen Chenery, told the court that Betteridge had defrauded the company of £11,881.84, which he has yet to repay.

The court also heard that Betteridge had neglected to tell his new employers about the charges, as well as the fact that he was appearing in court.

In 2021, Betteridge was charged with stalking and given a suspended sentence, which he breached by defrauding his former employers.

Defending, Simran Garcha, informed the court of his mental health struggles which dated back to when he was put in care as a child, leading to his view of the world to change from ‘dysfunctional to dystopian’.

Miss Garcha also told the court that, despite being in considerable credit card debit, Betteridge would repay the money he took from Edmundson Electrical.

A victim statement was read on behalf of the company in court stating that staff were ‘upset and shocked’.

“They felt like they had been deceived by their manager and someone they trusted,” the statement read.

Judge Michael Leeming told the court that through defrauding the company further despite being caught showed ‘arrogance and dishonesty’.

“You had a position of trust,” said Judge Leeming during his sentencing remarks.

“Staff looked up to you and trusted you. Your honesty and integrity should have been beyond reach.”

Betteridge cried in the docks as he was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment suspended for two years, in which he cannot commit another crime, or he would be brought back to court.

Judge Leeming informed Betteridge that should he commit another offence, he would ensure that he is brought before him again.

“No ifs, buts or maybes – you will be back in court in front of me,” he said.

“Please take the opportunity you are being given.”

Betteridge also must complete 250 hours unpaid work, 20 rehabilitation activity days, a three-month mental health treatment and fined £250 fine for breaching his initial suspended sentence.

He has also been ordered to repay £11,881.84 back to his former employers.