A car salesman has landed a suspended prison sentence for fraud after privately selling a Nissan from his dealership's stock.

James Croft changed the name on the Nissan Navara's logbook and MoT certificate to his own, obtained £5,560 from a car loan firm, and also applied to the DVLA to become the vehicle’s registered keeper, without the knowledge of his employer, NK Motors in Derby.

Croft had offered to sell the car privately to a customer as he felt NK Motors would be unable to sell it for a fair price, the Derby Telegraph newspaper reported.

The salesman, of Long Eaton, Derby, admitted two counts of fraud by false representation and was given a six-month jail sentence suspended for two years by Derby Crown Court.

Croft was found out when the buyer returned the Navara to the dealership where he had been sold the car by Croft because customer was unhappy with the vehicle.

Defending solicitor Roger Wilson said Croft’s finances were extremely stretched.

The court sentenced Croft to be supervised by the probation service for 12 months, to carry out unpaid work and to pay £2,000 compensation to the finance company.