A fraudster who stole half-a-million pounds from the Ilkeston Co-op was this week handed a four-year jail sentence and ordered to pay back £198,477.
Martin Sale had been found guilty of stealing from the company, which recently merged with the Midlands society, by writing out Co-op cheques for his own bills.
He also admitted conspiring to steal £153,500 from Ilkeston Co-op Motor Group, and to taking part in corrupt mobile phone deals totalling £358,800.
Reports suggest that the Ilkeston Co-op was forced to sell off its motor group with the loss of more than 200 jobs as a result of the deceit.
Sale's wife, mother and sister are also facing jail sentences.