A lettings agency administrator has been given a suspended prison sentence and ordered to do 200 hours of unpaid community service after using almost £4,000 of a tenant's rent to buy goods over the internet.
William Annear, 25, from Redruth in Cornwall, pleaded guilty to fraud by abusing his position as an administrator at JJ Fox Property, a Cornish letting agency,
Truro magistrates heard that Annear made internet purchases worth £3,878.15 using credit card details given to him - for professional reasons - by Emily Williams.
In September 2013 Ms Williams gave Annear bank and card details at his request, to allow him to deduct rent.
"Ms Williams was completely oblivious to what was going on until she had a letter from her bank indicating transactions had been undertaken and her account was overdrawn," the Crown Prosecution Service told the court. Although the bank refunded some money to Ms Williams, she was still out of pocket by £2,609.
Annear, who had no previous convictions, received a 16-week prison sentence suspended for a year, told to do 200 hours of unpaid work and pay Ms Williams £500 compensation.
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Comments
500 compensation! Why not the 2,609 the lady is still out of pocket
Truro magistrates (and many others throughout the country including judges) need their heads testing.
What a soft touch this country has become.
While it is great that they were caught and have been punished, i do feel the punishment is not strong enough!