Council employee jailed after committing fraud on highways department

Two men have been jailed, and their wives given suspended sentences, for a fraud against Leicestershire County Council.

The scam involved setting up a company from which highways department storekeeper Malcolm Farnish then ordered high volumes of low value items at inflated costs.

A manager noticed unauthorised orders and investigated, calling in internal audit. That in turn led to police involvement.

Mr Farnish placed orders with Ground Products, a firm set up by businessman Steven Reynolds, netting some £100,000 for the two couples.

The two men were jailed for three and two years respectively at Leicester Crown Court.

Their wives, Valerie Farnish and Anna Reynolds, were found guilty of conspiracy to commit fraud and were given suspended sentences of a year and 18 months respectively.

Judge Robert Brown told Mr Furnish: “You were employed by the county council in a position of trust.

“You abused that position by giving contracts to a company in which you had a direct financial interest.”