Between 2014 and 2017 Wesley Grainger-Smith, 66, from Winthorpe, Nottinghamshire transferred £702,050 from the bank accounts of four construction companies to his personal casino gaming account, before depositing his winnings back into the businesses.

At the time Grainger-Smith was not a director at three of the companies but acted in the capacity of a director and had significant influence over their affairs.

Grainger-Smith pleaded guilty to five counts of fraudulently removing company property and was sentenced to two years and five months’ imprisonment at Lincoln Crown Court on 28 February.

The Insolvency Service found almost £570,000 in cash deposits to the company bank accounts, which investigators believe was the money Grainger-Smith paid back to the businesses.