A man who posed as an accountant has been convicted of a series of fraud and theft charges in Didcot and Buckinghamshire.

Harvey Pearce, 49, of Willow End, Didcot, was convicted at Aylesbury Crown Court on Tuesday, May 10.

He was convicted of five counts of fraud by abuse of position, two counts of fraud by false representation and one count of theft my employee. 

In 2014, Pearce claimed he was a qualified accountant and was employed as the finance manager of Diamond Light Source from June 2014, until his arrest in September 2014.

This was the second time Pearce claimed he was accountant, after working in the role at the National Film and Television School in Beaconsfield. 

After concerns were raised, he was released from emploment and was found to have paid himself expenses of almost £15,000, had used his school credit card to pay for personal items, purchased two iPads on the school account, had overpaid himself more than £4,000 and had not deducted pension contributions from his salary. 

Pearce pleaded guilty to earning almost £155,000 by obtaining both jobs by false representation and to obtaining more than £24,000 from the National Film and Television School by fraud and theft.

Investigating officer, Det Con Katie Taylor of the Economic Crime Unit said: “This investigation uncovered deceit and fraud against two local employers.

“Harvey Pearce lied to obtain positions with them. He then betrayed the trust placed in him and abused his position to benefit himself.

“This has been a long and complex investigation and I trust that the conviction not only reassures our communities but also sends a message out that crime will not pay in the Thames Valley.”

Pearce is set to be sentenced at Aylesbury Crown Court on June 7.

Police did not release information until today.