Bristol bailiff spared jail after fraud

A bailiff who illegally pocketed close to £20,000 he had collected from debtors was spared jail at Bristol Crown Court.

Prosecuting, Mark Humphries said Blatchly-Lewis was collecting council tax and business rates debts owed to North Somerset District Council at the time of his crimes.

He told his employers that he had lost one of his receipt books and was sent another one. But he used the old book when taking payments in the Bristol area so that debtors had proof of payment.

This was to be his downfall, the court heard.

After his own business folded and left him in the red, Shaun Blatchly-Lewis, 52, stole the cash he was supposed to be collecting for his employer Rossendales.

Mr Humphries said: "They had paid the debt but were still being pursued for it."

When Rossendales found out what was going on they called Blatchly-Lewis, of Tredington Park, Gloucestershire, and he said "I need to come in and see you".

He made full admissions of his five-month fraud, both to the company and later in court.

Mr Humphries added: "He said he intended to pay back the money and it seems he actually used to do that. It was only when he was unable to repay it that it did become apparent."

The total Blatchly-Lewis had taken was £19,876. He had no previous convictions.

Mitigating, Oliver Willmott said: "He acknowledges that this was a significant fraud and a significant breach of trust.

"It's also, notably, a very stupid offence. It's stupid for this reason: it was always going to be discovered."

Blatchly-Lewis used to have his own debt collection business, the court heard, but when it folded he was left with a £25,000 debt.

Judge David Ticehurst sentenced him to a one-year prison sentence, suspended for a two years. He must also do 250 hours of unpaid work, but was not ordered to repay the money to Rossendales.

Judge Ticehurst added: "I'm not going to make a formal order but my very strong view is that you should do your utmost to repay that money."

Source CCR Magazine - www.ccrmagazine.com

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