A former Lotus manager is starting a two-year jail term having been convicted of committing more than £80,000 of fraud.

Michael Fowler, 51, of Attleborough, Norfolk, began the four-year deception when he became fabrication department manager for Lotus in 2001. <

He was sentenced after admitting to Norwich Crown Court that he had placed orders with a fictitious company called T and M Automation, then invoiced the company. Fowler pleaded guilty to 17 counts of obtaining money by deception, totalling £81,902.

According to the Eastern Daily Press, Defence solicitor Jonathan Goodman says: “He finally accepts he’s a cheat and if there’s an opportunity to be exploited he will exploit it. He’s prepared to face up to that and, because of the hardship this has caused himself and his family, do something about it. He has been receiving counselling for more than a year.”

Fowler previously served two nine-month jail sentences for similar offences.