A salesman at a Yorkshire Mercedes-Benz car dealership "skimmed off" money from 14 sales into his own account.

Christopher Fogg carried out the fraud over a six month period in 2013 while working for Pendragon's Stratstone Mercedes-Benz dealership in Leeds, the city's crown court was told.

During 14 transactions Fogg, of Thornaby, Stockton-on-Tees, falsified documents and "skimmed off" more than £27,000 to pay gambling debts and child care costs.

He admitted fraud and was sentenced to 12-months prison, suspended for two years, and 18 hours unpaid work.

The court was told Fogg was remorseful and the crime had affected his family badly.

He had worked in motor retail since leaving school and, although sacked by the dealership, had since been offered work with another car dealer, reported the Yorkshire Post newspaper.