INTERNET gambling has landed a car salesman in jail after he stole high-powered vehicles from the York firm he worked for to raise cash.

Jonathan Richard Kennerley was an “exemplary” employee of Clifton Moor-based Minster Jaguar before three months of madness saw him take seven cars, worth a total of £93,113, from the company.

But although the 44-year-old tried to create a paper trail to cover his tracks after becoming hooked on online betting, his crimes were uncovered by the firm and he is now starting a 15-month prison sentence.

York Crown Court heard Kennerley, of Crooked Lane, Kirk Hammerton, was Minster Jaguar’s business manager.

Simon Ostler, prosecuting, said: “The matter came to light when, in January, a customer told the firm he had been contacted by a finance company in relation to a payment protection policy he did not require. An investigation into Kennerley’s dealings discovered thefts relating to vehicles between October 2009 and January 2010. These were vehicles traded in by members of the public to go towards the purchase of new ones.

“There were also attempts made to cover up these thefts, with a finance agreement for £6,250 being made in one customer’s name without her knowledge.”

Colin Harvey, defending, said, until the thefts, Kennerley had led a “hard-working and exemplary life” and was Minster Jaguar’s “sales face”.

Mr Harvey said: “He was regarded highly by the company and was an excellent and dedicated employee until it all went totally wrong for a period last year.

“Suddenly, gambling took hold of him. Although he had always dabbled in horse-racing, the internet opened up such a new world that he became involved. He placed bets of £5, £10 and £20 on the results of football matches and it just escalated until he was betting much bigger amounts. There is no indication of a man who lived the high-life, but he just lost control.”

Kennerley admitted seven charges of theft, two of making an article for use in fraud, three of false accounting and one of making false representations.