Sale Moor man 'gave away' 18 cars (From Messenger Newspapers)

Sale Moor man 'gave away' 18 cars

3:36pm Tuesday 8th April 2008

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A BUSINESSMAN from Sale Moor who gave company cars to his friends in a bid to win over and impress them has been jailed.

Father-of-one Steven McQueeny, 27, of Bedford Avenue had responsibility for hiring cars for employees at Manchester-based firm LBA and returning unwanted vehicles to the lease firm after use.

However, instead of giving the cars back, McQueeny, a facilities manager, was allowing his friends to use the cars, totting up costs to LBA of more than £50,000.

In an interview he said he had given 18 cars to his friends because of the reputation he was getting among them for supplying the vehicles.

McQueeny admitted seven counts of theft and was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment at Minshull Street Crown Court on April 7.

In sentencing Judge Bernard Lever said: "You were the financial manager of this firm and you allowed people who had no right to use the cars, in order to win friendship and impress your friends.

"You were in a position of trust to look after your employer's fleet, not to dishonestly abuse it."

In prosecuting Mr Mark Kellet explained how McQueeny had sole responsibility for the company vehicles and arranged for the lease hire of the vehicles.

He said: "An audit was ordered by the company for the missing cars but the defendant failed to supply one."

In mitigation Mr Nicholas Clarke said: "He has something of an addictive personality, when he becomes involved in something he becomes involved in it completely and absolutely."

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