West Midlands financial director jailed after using company credit cards to fund luxury lifestyle and Disney World holiday

David Carr, 34, from Bidford-on-Avon in Warwickshire, pleaded guilty in June to three counts of fraud. 

Between April 2014 and August 2022, he abused his position of trust to steal £300,000 to fund a lifestyle he couldn’t afford and eventually caused the Bromsgrove IT company, where he was the financial director, to go into administration.

As well as trips to Disney World, he also bought high value items such as computers, high-tech gadgets and designer exercise bikes.

An investigation into Carr’s fraudulent gains started in August 2022 leading to his arrested in October 2022, and him being charged in July 2023.

Carr was sentenced to 55 months (four years and seven months) at Worcester Crown Court on Friday 25 July. A Proceeds of Crime Act hearing is set to take place following his conviction.

PC James Hall, who led the investigation into Carr with West Mercia Police, said: “We are pleased to get this custodial sentence for Carr who abused his position of trust as the financial director of a company to fund a luxury lifestyle well beyond his means.

“Carr’s eight years of stealing company money also led to the firm he worked for going into administration, impacting the jobs of fellow employees too.

“Fraud can often be seen as a ‘victimless crime’ but the actions of criminals like Carr can have a big impact on companies, their customers and staff, which was certainly the case here.”