Car salesman stole over £40,000 from Northwich dealership

A former car salesman has admitted to defrauding a Northwich Ford dealership out of more than £40,000 by channelling transactions through his personal bank account.

Joe McStein, 29, exploited his position as a sales leader at Evans Halshaw Northwich, which closed in October 2023. 

When the irregularity was flagged, an internal investigation at Evans Halshaw uncovered that McStein had made multiple fraudulent transactions between August and December 2023, totalling £40,933.67.

McStein appeared at Chester Magistrates’ Court on Friday, January 31, where he pleaded guilty to one count of fraud by false representation.

Prosecutor Scott Woodward argued that, given the large sum involved and McStein’s abuse of trust, the case should be escalated to crown court for sentencing.

Deputy district judge Owen Jones agreed, ruling that his sentencing powers were insufficient. McStein, of Vogan Avenue, Crosby, was ordered to appear at Chester Crown Court on Friday, March 14.

Further charges surfaced when McStein appeared at Sefton Magistrates’ Court in Bootle on Wednesday, February 5, where he pleaded guilty to another 11 counts of fraud related to selling cars. In this separate case, the complainant was the Williams Group BMW dealership in Liverpool.

For these additional offences, McStein is scheduled to appear at Liverpool Crown Court on Wednesday, March 5.