Legal News

Robin Butler from Eddington Hill Broadfield who was sent to jail for four years after he pleaded guilty to 22 counts of fraud by false representation at the Lewes Crown Court.
He was believed to have defrauded at least 110 people interested in specialist collectables to gain more than £46,000.
The 39 year old and father of three carried out crimes throughout 2012 and up until February 2013 but was finally caught after being found by police hiding under a bed at his home.
Mary Woolford, prosecuting, said up till now 110 victims in Sussex were identified. However, the total value (defrauded) is believed to be £70,000 because police are yet to identify all those who have lost out to Butler.
The con artist found his victims by scouring the internet and specialist trade magazines for wanted ads or collectors' forums.
Victims would be seeking specialist and rare motoring parts, fishing equipment or military and nautical collectables which Butler claimed to have and persuaded them to transfer money to his account up front. But the items never arrived.
Ms Woolford said Butler looked for people who wanted to buy rare pieces which they could not find. Butler answered the adverts by saying that he had what they needed and when they accepted his offer he used to demand payment in advance.
And when victims contacted him about the missing items he would claim to be having a courier problem and the gullible victims agreed to pay extra money.
Fraud solicitor representing Butler said that her client had no choice but to turn to crime as he was struggling to repay a loan.
She added that he took out a loan at the end of 2011 to pay for Christmas presents and things around the home. The loan was from an individual and he was struggling to meet the weekly repayment of £100.
When sentencing, Judge Michael Lawson QC commented on the fact Butler had previous convictions stretching back to 1986 and that his guilty plea was only to find a better deal in facing sentence. He said the fraudster chose a life of crime and had led a life of dishonesty
After sentencing, Detective Sergeant Matt Wilson said that many of Butler's victims were elderly and hard-up.
Proceeds of crime hearing has been set for June 28 at Lewes Crown Court, to try and claim back some of the victims' money.