A letting agency boss who admitted fraud has been spared jail. The case is the latest in a string of agents who have used clients’ money for business purposes.
Mold Crown Court heard that, because of financial difficulties, Peter Swatton, 55, was ‘robbing Peter to pay Paul’ in an attempt to keep his business going. He had taken money from tenants but not put it into landlords’ accounts.
Swatton, of Coedpoeth, Wrexham, admitted fraudulently running Abacus Accommodation Agency between January 2007 and January 2009.
He had filed for bankrupty in December 2008. Police were called in by the deputy official receiver who alleged that £84,800 had been misappropriated.
Judge Niclas Parry gave him a 36-week prison sentence suspended for 12 months and ordered him to carry out 300 hours of unpaid work. He must also pay £600 towards prosecution costs.
The full story is here:
http://www.leaderlive.co.uk/news/112512/letting-agency-boss-admits-fraud.aspx
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Comments
I've just realised how I might be able to afford a new car!
Had he nicked a T shirt during the riots or not paid council tax, he would get prison.
Justice is a funny old thing....
Based on the evidence posted here, the judge should be prosecuted for dereliction of duty to the community
Is there any point any of us commenting on this other than to say unless and until these fraudsters, swindlers and crooks - for that is all they are - get serious sentences for serious crimes and the misery they cause thousands of families on boith sides of a tenancy, what possible motiveation is there for us good guys to join ARLA, NALS, TPO etc etc.
Can't anyone that matters see that us good guys then pay the additional professional fees that mean we have to charge more so these cowboys can undercut us?