A REDDITCH fraudster is paying a high price for conning traders out of more than £4,500.

Mathew Wyatt, aged 47, from Apple Tree Lane, has been jailed for a total of 20 weeks after pleading guilty to eight fraud charges.

Worcester magistrates were told Wyatt provided false invoices and bank details to companies while he was working for Droitwich Design and Print.

He falsely claimed sums ranging from £2,160 to £127 in what magistrates said was significant breach of trust.

Wyatt was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £115.

Also before Worcestershire Magistrates Court, Declan Moloney from Lea Croft Road, Redditch, was given a community order to carry out 150 hours unpaid work and complete a rehabilitation activity.

Moloney, aged 20, who admitted three charges of assault by beating, was also instructed to pay a total of £374.98 which included £50 each to his three victims.

Homeless Stephen Burford, aged 41, pleaded guilty to stealing bed linen from Dunelm in Redditch and toys from Debenhams in the town.

He was jailed for a total of four weeks, magistrates also sent him to prison for a further 24 weeks because the offences were committed while he was serving a suspended jail term for theft, using threatening words or behaviour and failing to surrender to bail.

Burford was also ordered to pay £165 compensation.

Bevan Burke, aged 21, from Queens Estate, Worcester, was given a community order with a drug rehabilitation requirement after he admitted stealing seven vacuum cleaners from B and M Bargains in Redditch.

He was further ordered to pay £759.93 in compensation.

Nicoleta-madalina Dobre aged 26 from Warwick Road, Tysley, was fined £350 and ordered to pay £185 costs plus a £35 victim surcharge aftre she admitted stealing five bottles of perfume from Debenhams in Redditch as well as obstructing a police officer.

Andrew Price from Evesham Mews in Redditch was given a jail term of eight weeks suspended for nine months after pleading guilty of driving with excess alcohol.

The 52-year-old was also banned from driving for 30 months which would be reduced by 30 weeks on completion of an approved course.

He was also ordered to pay £135 costs and a £122 victim surcharge.