Gorseinon Asda supermarket worker claimed more than £2,000 which should have gone to customers

A FORMER shop worker who raked in more than £2,000 after claiming offers his customers did not take up, has avoided jail.

Nathan Preece, 23, worked as a self-service supervisor at Asda in Gorseinon.

While he was working, he collected receipts customers had left behind, entitling them to two types of offers.

He raked in more than £2,000 by loading the money onto 39 different gift cards.

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Preece claimed both a free £5 voucher, available to customers who had spent more than £40, and vouchers as part of the store's Priceback Guarantee scheme.

As part of the scheme customers are given a unique code which can be entered on the supermarket's website. If the items could have been bought for 10 per cent cheaper elsewhere they will give customers the difference.

Preece would collect receipts and, if eligible, would cash them in by loading the money onto gift cards.

Prosecuting barrister Brian Simpson told Swansea Crown Court when Preece was confronted at the store, he produced seven gift cards and receipts from his pockets.

When his home in Ffynonn Wen, Clydach, was searched, 32 more cards were found.

He had spent more than £1,800 of the money, which Judge Keith Thomas ordered he repay.

Preece admitted fraud by false representation and a second charge of possessing an article for use in a fraud.

Preece was subject to a suspended sentence for assault and dangerous driving when he committed the latest offence.

In December, 2011, he attacked a traffic warden who had given him a parking ticket before driving his car at him.

Andrew Shanahan, representing Preece, said his client had now begun a new job and he asked the judge not to jail him.

"He is the sort of man who would respond to an alternative to custody. He very much regrets his actions and wishes to issue a public apology to his employers," said Mr Shanahan.

Preece was given an 18-month community order and told to complete 200 hours of unpaid work. Another 50 hours of unpaid work were added for the breach of the suspended sentence.