A
rogue estate agent, who fled the country after stealing over £48,000
in tenants' deposits, was jailed for twenty months yesterday.
Manish
Manek, 54, who also ripped-off landlords, his own staff and other
creditors, only returned when he thought a bankruptcy petition had
wiped the slate clean.
“These
offences were committed repeatedly and you consciously decided to use
other people's money and caused a lot of misery,” Judge Michael
Hunter told him at Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court.
One
widow, who entrusted Manek with her rental portfolio had to repay
tenants £14,000 out of her own pocket and another landlord
complained of “anxiety” and “sleepless nights.”
Manek,
of Springfield House, Mill Lane, Taplow, Maidenhead pleaded guilty to
seventeen counts of theft, totalling £48,716.
He
is now claiming Jobseekers Allowance and renting a room in a shared
house.
Prosecutor
Miss Amanda Bostock told the court three members of his own staff at
Kingston’s 'Je Je Barons' reported him to police on October 16,
2012.
“Staff
had received calls from tenants that their deposits had not been
registered with the Deposit Protection Scheme.
“They
had been paid straight into the defendant's personal bank account.”
He
told staff he was going into hospital to have a tumour removed form
his liver, but in reality sold up his house and fled with his wife
and young daughter to India.
He
left behind staff and creditors, who were owed £18,500.
Manek
was arrested at Heathrow Airport when he returned to the UK on
September 24, last year.
None
of the stolen money has been recovered and Manek is now subject to a
Proceeds of Crime Act investigation.
His
lawyer Mr. Russell Fraser told the court the economic downturn of
2008 was the start of Manek's troubles.
“He
moved the money around to pay rent and wages and was stealing from
Peter to pay Paul.”
Manek's
wife, who works for Kingston council, was supporting him in court.
“This
is a bad example of breach of trust,” Judge Hunter told the
first-time offender. “You were entrusted to hold other people's
money in a professional capacity and you stole that money.
“I
would be failing in my duty to protect the public by not passing an
immediate custodial sentence today.”
Detective
Constable Paul Lawlor, from Kingston CID, said:
“Manek stole from the very people who were paying him to manage
their properties and keep his business running.
“He
blamed his criminal activities on his huge debt, his ill health and
the health of family members.
“Regardless
what his personal circumstance may have been, it does not justify
resorting to criminal activities thinking it is an easy route out.
“Because
of his actions, Manek is not only serving a custodial sentence in
jail but has also lost the reputation he once had within his
community.”
No comments:
Post a Comment