A SALESMAN tried to put up a smokescreen to cover for the theft of cash and stock within months of starting a job with a worldwide tobacco company.

But Aaron McCormack’s efforts to make a packet at British American Tobacco’s (BAT’s) expense were stubbed out due to glaring debts run up with two cash and carry customers.

It led to a wider examination of his activities and he was eventually accused of taking about £16,000-worth of cash, stock and incentive vouchers, in the months up to October 2012.

Durham Crown Court heard McCormack was taken on by BAT, responsible for sales to about 200 retailers in the Tyneside area, in January 2012.

David Brooke, prosecuting, told the court: “He was on a salary in a position with a strong element of self-supervision and requiring the highest order of integrity and honesty, as it involved daily cash sales to cash and carry outlets and convenience stores.”

When the debts to two cash and carry customers surfaced in August that year it led to inquiries within the company which resulted in him being suspended on full pay by September 19, and he was asked to explain his “difficulties” at a meeting with a director the following week.

Mr Brooke said McCormack tried to explain away the discrepancies as an “administrative error”, having mistakenly sold the wrong quantities of cut-price cigarettes as part of an incentive scheme, causing some cheques to bounce.

But the company remained suspicious as 33,000 cigarettes were missing, about 5kg of stock he had been given.

He was dismissed in October and as a parting shot it was later discovered loyalty vouchers he was supposed to hand to retailers, worth £2,406, were never recovered.

Mr Brooke said: “It was discovered he exploited the management of an area manager and simply tried to shift blame onto the company.

“When police became involved and he was interviewed in May 2013 he painted a picture of confusion, blaming his area manager.”

But, once more invoices were obtained a clearer picture emerged later last year, and it was also discovered McCormack had “substantial” rent arrears.

Admissions were said to be “long and drawn out”, however, over several interviews.

McCormack, 40, of Poet’s Drive, Pelton Fell, near Chester-le-Street, admitted five counts of theft.

Lewis Kerr, mitigating, said he the defendant, who has no previous convictions, is trying to put money aside to repay the company, despite his “considerable” debts.

Judge Christopher Prince, who told McCormack he may find it harder to find such work in future, given the conviction, imposed a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for a year.

But he instigated proceeds of crime inquiries in the hope of recouping the outstanding £16,000.