– Salesman stole £13,015 from Portsmouth Honda dealership
– Fraud scheme funded escalating gambling addiction
– Suspended sentence and compensation ordered by court
– Salesman stole £13,015 from Portsmouth Honda dealership
– Fraud scheme funded escalating gambling addiction
– Suspended sentence and compensation ordered by court
A car salesman stole more than £13,000 from the Portsmouth dealership where he worked to feed a gambling addiction, a court has heard.
James Ratcliffe, 35, of Hayling Island, pleaded guilty to fraud after taking £13,015 from Hendy Honda in Anchorage Road, Portsmouth.
Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court heard that between September 2023 and February 2024, Ratcliffe carried out what a judge described as a “web of lies” by selling cars at part-exchange and discounted prices, then keeping the difference for himself.
Fraud at Honda dealership
The court was told Ratcliffe made it appear customers had paid in full by adjusting bank transfers, allowing him to divert money from the dealership while his gambling addiction worsened. His solicitor said he had been “trying to reclaim big losses”.
The Portsmouth News reports that Ratcliffe committed the fraud while working in vehicle sales at the Hendy Honda dealership in Portsmouth. After his actions were uncovered by the dealership, he admitted what he had done, was suspended from work and later resigned.
He pleaded guilty to fraud by abuse of position in November 2025.
Sentence and compensation
Since the offence, Ratcliffe’s parents have taken full control of his finances, and the court heard they were prepared to pay compensation on his behalf.
District Judge David Robinson KC said: “Over a period of five to six months, you acted in complete breach of trust. There was a series of fraudulent events with a degree of planning and sophistication, moving money to and fro. There was a web of lies in the breach of this trust.
“Your gambling habit does not excuse what you did, but you were gripped by it – stealing to fuel that habit.
“But you made full admissions to the police and your employer; you have taken positive steps to deal with your gambling, you have been re-employed in a similar job and have parents willing to settle your debts.”
Ratcliffe was given a six-month suspended prison sentence, subject to 120 hours of community service. He was also ordered to pay £11,948.67 in compensation, along with a £154 surcharge and £85 in costs.
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