Man facing jail for £80k bank fraud

A bank worker today admitted stealing £80,000 while working for Indian firm ICICI.

Harprit Shari, 27, from Wolverhampton, West Midlands, pleaded guilty at the Old Bailey to three counts of fraud.

He took sums of £5,000, £25,000 and £50,000 between January and February last year while he was a relations officer for the internet bank.

The court heard that, in one case, he found a cheque for £5,000 made out to a woman with the same name as his wife, and so paid it into his spouse's account.

Judge Anthony Morris QC told him: "As I'm sure you have already been advised by your counsel, the most likely outcome in this case is that you will receive an immediate custodial sentence, involving as it does a breach of trust on your part."

Shari, of Powell Street, was released on unconditional bail until June 8 when he will be sentenced.

His wife, Baljit Kaur, 30, of the same address, pleaded not guilty to one count of acquiring criminal property.

It is claimed that she knew nothing about the fraud, and that Shari forged her signature on a withdrawal slip after the cheque had been paid into her account.

Prosecutors are to decide whether to proceed with that charge at a later date.

PA