A former employee of beds and mattresses retailer Dreams has pleaded guilty to fraud after stealing over £50,000 from the company.

Following a Thames Valley Police investigation, Sunny Bhayani, aged 62 of Surrey, was sentenced at Aylesbury Crown Court to two years’ imprisonment, suspended for two years, after he pleaded guilty to one count of fraud by abuse of position.

He was also ordered to pay £565 in costs, £51,794.27 to be repaid at £1,075 a month, wear an electronic tag with a curfew for six months, a rehabilitation activity and to complete 250 hours’ unpaid work within 12 months.

Bhayani, who was working in Customer Services for Dreams Limited in High Wycombe, committed fraud in the region of £51,794. The offence took place between January 2017 and January 2018.

Bhayani created and carried out fraudulent refunds to customers, but actually refunded the money to cards owned and controlled by him.

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Gemma Thompson said: “This has been an extraordinarily long and complex investigation that has taken over five years and involved a large number of officers.

“Mr Bhayani held a position of trust which he took advantage of and he neglected the financial interests of the company.

“I’m extremely pleased with this result and that he is required to repay all of the money he stole from his employer.”