Fraudster pocketed £34k in energy con
A fraudster who told people he could get them up to £5,000 compensation from energy companies in order to steal their cash has been given a suspended jail term.
Shaun Morris received £34,000 from 310 people across the West Midlands, mainly from the Black Country and Staffordshire, after placing adverts in newspapers. He was handed £100 to £150 each time after saying he could get large amounts of cash back from big suppliers on a 'no win, no fee' basis.
But the 45-year-old did not deliver and kept the money, becoming aggressive to some customers when they tried to cancel meetings or wanted to pull out, Stafford Crown Court was told.
He also claimed he could get an income tax rebate of around £6,000 and managed to get £323 for one woman from Wolverhampton. He kept that until he was quizzed by Staffordshire County Council trading standards officers and agreed to repay the sum.
Morris pleaded guilty to three counts of fraud by false representation, two counts of engaging in aggressive commercial practices and one of engaging in unfair practice between September 2012 and October 2013.
Morris, of Birch Road, Stone, was given a two-year prison sentence, suspended for two years, and ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work.
Mr Tony Watkin, prosecuting, said Energy Compensation Bureau had been established by Morris in Stafford in 2012, but he had no expertise or experience. He added the advertising used misrepresented the entitlement to compensation.
The court was told the victims included Phillip Eldershaw from Penkridge, who was told he could get compensation of £3,000 from npower and Susan Homer from Dudley, who was told he could get up to £2,000.
After being in contact with Morris, Ms Homer then spoke to her energy supplier, after which shetold Morrisshe wanted to cancel a meeting.
The court was told he then started 'ranting' at her and invoiced her £65.
It was also said he was persistent towards Louise Till from Stafford after she wanted to postpone a meeting with him.
Among the 310 to have paid for his services wereresidents across Walsall, Sandwell, Dudley, Stafford, Birmingham and Telford.
Mr Watkin told the court: "We say it was a planned offence occurring over a long period of time.."
Mr Peter McCartney, defending, said the father of two, who previously served in the armed forces and construction industry, had exaggerated about the level of compensation he could claim.
After the case Staffordshire County Council's trading standards leader Gill Heath said: "The extent of this fraud is shocking. Hundreds of people have fallen victim to this offender from across the region."
