A trainee manager skimmed more than £7,000 from a hotel client’s bills in what police described as a “cheeky and devious” scam.

Newcastle magistrates heard (8 March) how 20-year-old Shaun Bell, a trainee manager at the city’s Express by Holiday Inn, changed his name by deed pole to set up fake accounts and help his escape when the swindle was eventually discovered.

Bell would add between £100 and £877 to guest’s accounts before they saw their final bills.

He would then authorise a refund for the over-charge, transferring what was hotel money to a switch card in his bogus name of S. Ryan.

An accurate bill would then be printed for the guest who remained unaware of their part in the fraud.

Bell, of Westgate Road, Newcastle, was only caught when his colleagues became suspicious of the number of refunds he was making.

It was later estimated he stole £7,222 between July and September last year.

In court he admitted six counts of theft and asked for seven further offences to be taken into consideration. The case was adjourned for sentencing.

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By Cliff Goodwin

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