A DODGY finance manager who pocketed more than £750k from an international hotel chain has been jailed for four and a half years.

Raseshkumar Shah, of Kilnmead Close, Crawley, was employed as a regional finance manager for a hotel in Reading between January and August 2014.

The 33-year-old was trusted to resettle accounts during the company's restructuring period, but he took advantage of his position by taking a total of £774,293.87.

Shah made six payments of £100k to his own account and provided his banking information to clients and suppliers.

He transfered the majority of the funds to a non-UK account and he later returned to India, his country of birth, in February 2016.

Shah returned to the UK on July 15 and he was arrested at Heathrow Airport after the hotel chain recognised the mistake in their records.

Senior investigating officer, Detective Constable Peter Cave, of Force CID, based in Reading, said: “I am pleased that Shah has been jailed for his crimes.

“Although his guilty plea was taken into account by the court, we will not tolerate people who carry out such offences.

"His sentence sends out a strong deterrent message to those considering carrying out fraud that they will be investigated and brought before the courts.

“If you think you have been a victim of fraud we would urge you to please report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040”.

Shah admitted to one count of fraud by abuse of position and one count of money laundering.

He was charged on the same day of his arrest and appeared at Reading Crown Court on Tuesday, July 18.