AN accountant was told he could be facing a potential prison sentence after he was finally brought to court to answer for fraud against his employer.

The warning was given to Graeme Chapman after he admitted taking £41,404.26 from online clothing supplier, Devilwear Ltd.

He is said to have taken the money between March 8 and September 3, last year, while working as an accounts assistant for the company, at its premises in Peterlee, County Durham.

Fifty-two-year-old Chapman denied a charge of fraud by abuse of position when he appeared at a plea hearing at Durham Crown Court, in early February.

A trial date was agreed, set to start at the court last Thursday (April 28).

But he failed to appear at court, despite having been made aware of the date by his instructing firm of solicitors.

His barrister at that hearing, Stephen Constantine, who previously had a case conference with Chapman, told the court there had been, “a history of mental health issues”.

He said the defence case, at that stage, was that Chapman claimed to have been told he could withdraw money from the company to pay into his account as “remuneration” from his employer.

Mr Constantine could not account for his client’s non-appearance at court, but said there may be an element of, “burying his head in the sand”.

Judge Christopher Prince could have proceeded with the trial in Chapman’s absence, but he chose to issue a bench warrant for his arrest.

Chapman was brought before the court on the warrant yesterday (Wednesday May 4) having been located in Scotland.

His representative at yesterday’s hearing, Dan Cordey, told the court: “He accepts getting into his car and driving towards Scotland.

“He was reported as a missing person and was finally spotted and spoken to by police in Edinburgh, before being handed to Northumbria Police in Berwick.

“He was brought here today having been remanded in custody by Newcastle justices, on Saturday.”

Recorder Simon Jackson QC asked Mr Cordey to speak to his client about his plea, as he said it may not be too late to offer a slight discount on sentence if he admitted the offence, even at this late stage in proceedings.

Following discussions with his client in the court cells, Mr Cordey asked if the charge could be put again to the defendant.

He pleaded guilty and following representations by Mr Cordey, Recorder Jackson agreed to adjourn to allow for the preparation of background psychiatric and Probation Service reports on Chapman, prior to sentence.

Warning him that the reports may only effect the length of the eventual prison term, Recorder Jackson remanded Chapman, of Broadmayne Avenue, Sunderland, in custody, pending sentence on Friday June 17.