Man jailed for car meter thefts

Hart was responsible for servicing the machines

A council engineer who "harvested" cash from car parking pay and display machines has been jailed for 21 months.

Liverpool Crown Court was told Stephen Hart admitted carrying out the scam over a five week period.

In just one week Hart stole £1,700, the court heard on Friday.

However, the court was told other engineers have been involved in the scam, and up to £70,000 was stolen over an eight month period.

Hart, a father-of-two, used tape to seal chutes in some of the machines to stop cash reaching the vault below and in others he diverted the chutes so he could access the money.

He would later return and steal the coins.

He has brought great shame on his family and great trouble and misery Julian Nutter, defending

Jailing 39-year-old Hart, Judge Mark Brown said: "It is clear that you used your skill and knowledge of the workings of these machines for a very dishonest purpose.

"You harvested money from these machines."

Judge Brown said it was "simply not possible for the local authority to identify precisely the extent and amount of the loss to the public."

He added it was a breach of trust not just for his employers but also to the general public.

He said he believed other employees may be involved in "this disgraceful enterprise".

Hart, of Utting Avenue East, Norris Green, Liverpool, pleaded guilty to 11 theft offences and four of attempted theft.

£3.5m collected

Geoffrey Lowe, prosecuting, said the offences were specimen charges and Hart admitted they happened on more than 15 occasions, in 2001.

Revenue from the machines, collected by a private security company, Securitas, was about £3.5m a year.

Julian Nutter, defending, said Hart became involved in the scam after finding out others were tampering with the machines.

"He has brought great shame on his family and great trouble and misery," said Mr Nutter.

"He has destroyed his good name and his family's good name.

"What pains him is what he has done to his family and that will continue to pain him."