An under-performing salesman had faked a £12,000 computer software order from a Rhyl customer to save his job but was sacked after the fraud came to light, a court heard on Tuesday.

Kevin Garvin, aged 50, of Queens Road, Cheadle Hulme, Stockport, pleaded guilty to conning AP Systems at Rhyl in January last year and was described as “extremely remorseful”.

Magistrates at Llandudno imposed a twelve-month conditional discharge and ordered him to pay £2,000 compensation, instead of £7,850 sought by his ex-employer, and £105 costs.

Michael Pugh, defending, said: "It’s a very unusual fraud matter. It’s the signing of a document to keep his job.”

The solicitor said Garvin made no gain.

He’d been offered a caution but arrived later than agreed at Rhyl police station. He then failed to make further efforts to contact police.

“This conviction is going to have a huge impact,” Mr Pugh added. “He’s extremely embarrassed to be before the court and extremely remorseful for signing that document to keep his job.” He had no idea of the financial loss it would cause.

James Neary, prosecuting, said Garvin had been taken on in September 2016 but his employer was unhappy with his performance. The defendant claimed a client would be buying software.