May 05, 2011
A Scarborough man has been issued with a 12-month community order and told to complete 50 hours of unpaid work after fraudulently renting a flat whilst posing as a landlord.
Scarborough Magistrates’ Court heard that 42-year-old John Gilbert had placed an advert in a newsagent offering a one-bed flat to rent in Esplanade Gardens for £75 a week. A tenant responded to the advert and agreed to rent the flat, handing over a £150 deposit to Gilbert on November 14 last year. However, it emerged that Mr Gilbert was already renting the flat from a third party, and when his landlord turned up at the property, the authorities were quickly contacted.
“The complainant got the keys and moved into the flat. He stayed there and did not think anything was wrong, although he did notice a police interview tape and post with John Gilbert’s name on,” said Kathryn Reeve, prosecuting. “Two weeks later a man came and identified himself as the landlord.”
Ironically, Mr Gilbert, who was in arrears with his rent, was handed a prison sentence for an unrelated crime and after he was released from jail on February 23, he was arrested and questioned in relation to the fraud in Scarborough.
Mr Gilbert pleaded guilty to fraud before trial and Magistrates issued the subsequent 12-month community order. Had he been more financially solvent, a substantial fine would also have fallen on his head.
In light of Mr Gilbert’s crimes, tenants have been warned to double check their landlords credential before handing over any form of deposit or money.
