A MAN who had been sacked by a construction firm continued to order building materials and charge them to his former employer's account.

Blackburn magistrates heard Jonathan Alfred Smith "booked" £21,000 worth of goods to Forrest Joinery and Construction Contracts Ltd, Ramsgreave.

Smith, 28, of Pilmuir Road, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to four charges of fraud by false representation. He was committed on bail to Preston Crown Court to be sentenced.

Alex Mann, prosecuting, said Smith had been dismissed from his employment with Forrest Construction in March 2017 after being disqualified from driving for excess alcohol.

Between April and June of that year he booked four lots of building materials.

"He said he still worked for the company and had authority to order materials on their behalf," said Mrs Mann.

"The overall loss is £21,000 and, bearing in mind the value and the breach of trust, the guidelines suggest a starting point of 18 months in prison."

Gareth Price, defending, said his client deserved credit for his guilty plea but accepted the matter would go to the crown court to be sentenced.