by Tom Walsh
A fraudster who exploited holidaymakers through Gumtree is starting an eight month jail sentence following a hearing at Caerphilly Magistrates’ Court.
Jessica Scutt placed adverts on the classified website for non-existent caravan holidays including photos of the tourer in question and then pocketed the cash after fooling would-be consumers, the South Wales Argus reports.
The court heard how Ms Scutt made £220 from a cash-strapped family after they turned up to a Pembrokeshire seaside resort with their five children to find that the promised caravan was not at the camp site.
Ms Scutt pleaded guilty to four charges of fraud as well a further nine offences were also taken into account.
Magistrate Ronald Coldbourne told the defendant: “I must say this is some of the most despicable cases I have come across for fraud. I’m absolutely appalled.
This latest conviction is a warning to holidaymakers looking to book a break on a caravan site to ensure that every detail of their vacation is watertight before they hand over any cash.
