A building sub-contractor who claimed he was owed money by an Ipswich firm tried to get the money back by ordering goods from a supplier on the firm’s account, it has been alleged.

Jeremy Morgans had obtained goods from the Plumb Centre, in Goddard Road, Ipswich while he was doing sub contract work for Duncan Contracts Ltd of Bramford Road, Ipswich and staff had no reason to be suspicious when he ordered further items on the firm’s account in October 2014, Ipswich Crown Court was told.

Emma Nash, prosecuting, said Morgans claimed he was owed £728, plus VAT, by Duncan Contracts for work he had done for them.

Miss Nash said there had been a problem with the job and Duncan Contracts hadn’t been paid and as a result they hadn’t paid Morgans.

“We say that instead of going to the small claims court the defendant decided to go into the Plumb Centre and order goods on the account of Duncan Contracts even though it wasn’t for a job for Duncan Contracts,” said Miss Nash.

Morgans, 53, of Wentworth Drive, Ipswich, has denied three offences of fraud by falsely representing to the Plumb Centre he was authorised by Duncan Contracts to charge items to its account.

It is alleged that on September 13, 2014 Morgans dishonestly obtained goods worth £666 and £276.53 and on September 16 he dishonestly obtained items worth £115.25.

The trial continues today.