A businessman has told a jury how he became suspicious over a scheme to sell ornate fireplaces and other items from a listed building in Worcester owned by Kays catalogue firm.

Kevin Dudas claimed he gave £2,100 to Ian Tannock and was allowed £800 commission for finding a buyer.

But he became concerned during the negotiations after discovering from Parkers estate agents in Foregate Street, Worcester, that Tannock was no longer employed by them.

Parkers had won a contract from Reality, who took over Kays, to clear the grade 2 listed Georgian building and two other properties in The Tything, Worcester, in 2002 before they were sold to a property developer.

Mr Dudas, who ran Malvern-based company Tradesales, found an architectural antiques firm to buy the fireplaces and allegedly acted as a go-between for the firm and Parkers.

But he claimed Tannock failed to turn up for the final £500 payment - so he rang Tannock's former boss Nigel Parker. Mr Dudas told Worcester Crown Court Parker agreed he could take the money into his offices.

He also claimed that when Reality discovered that fireplaces were missing, Parker suggested at a pub meeting that they deny any knowledge of them.

Parker, aged 42, of Chapel Lane, Cradley, near Malvern, and 26-year-old Tannock, of Market Place, Evesham, deny stealing 15 fire surrounds, stone and timber flooring and a staircase.

Mr Dudas found out that Parkers were involved in the Kays clearance through a business colleague.

He agreed to buy furniture for £1,000 but alleged that Tannock had been "let down" over the sale of fireplaces. Mr Dudas found Posterity in Little Malvern which bought 16 fireplaces and was then offered more fixtures.

Mr Dudas claimed that after Tannock failed to turn up for the final payment of £500, they met up again in Kays carpark on December 4, 2002, for the hand over of the cash.

By then, the developers had discovered period features were missing from the buildings.

The trial continues.

n In yesterday's Evening News first edition, the report of this trial stated Mr Dudas picked Parker out in an identification parade. This should have read "identification process".