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| Marvin Maddix & Tom Cassani |
A fashion stylist-to-the-stars illegally rented out his council flat for over three times more than he paid while working for style giants Prada in Milan.
Fashion and apparel university graduate Marvin Maddix, 27, says in his online profile he personally styled Victoria Beckham while employed at her New York business.
He was convicted at Ealing Magistrates Court yesterday of sub-letting his one-bedroom flat in nearby Endsleigh Road via Airbnb between January 14 and April 17, last year.
The court heard he rented out the £81 per week top-floor council flat in a converted Victorian for £265 per week, yet claims he was not motivated by profit.
Maddix, who says he’s also styled hot felon Jeremy Meeks, US singer-songwriter Sophie Beam and model twins the Quann Sisters, now edits fashion magazine FGUK.
He has also been employed as a merchandiser for TopShop and as a fashion trend forecaster
Magistrate Rita Biddulph told him: “You must realise council property is scarce. There are vulnerable families with children and old people desperate for properties.
“Families are stuck in hostels and much smaller accommodation and you, as a young man, were given this property to live in so you should be grateful and aware of how lucky you are.
“You must be one of the luckiest young men to have come before this court to be given a lovely flat by the council and you have made a profit from it.”
Maddix has been housed by Ealing Council since he came out as gay, aged 15 years-old, and was abandoned by his mother.
Despite the heavily subsidised rent he continues to claim housing benefit, yet is concerned he is now disqualified from having the lucrative right to buy with the council seeking his eviction.
Once the sub-let was exposed Maddix played the race card and claimed a neighbour was subjecting him to racist and homophobic abuse.
This would have given him a legitimate defence for leaving the property for three months, but records proved he had not lodged complaints with the police or the council.
Prosecutor Miss Hatoon Zeb told the court Maddix moved in on November 2, 2011 after his previous council flat was demolished.
He was quizzed by council investigator Soraya Bux on September 21, last year after three different online rental ads were discovered.
“He began by denying repeatedly he ever sub-let the property or received four separate payments into his bank account and denied any rental agreement with Hannah Miles,” explained Miss Zeb.
“At the end of the interview he said he secured work for Prada in Milan and did sub-let to Hannah Miles and financially gained from renting the property.”
Maddix had not even returned after three months and Hannah, who also had to pay for gas and electricity on top, returned the keys to his sister.
He told the investigator: “No, I’ve not sub-let it. I was just happy to be off the streets, you know.
“I’d found a job at Prada and it was an amazing time for me. I needed a bit of extra money while I was away.”
Investigator Ms Bux added: “He told me it was a once in a lifetime opportunity to work for Prada and he did not want to miss out.”
Maddix stayed with the family of his Italian boyfriend, Tom Cassani, while interning at Prada and his partner also gave evidence to the court.
“It was not about profit, but covering my debt and not losing my home,” Maddix told the magistrates, revealing he was also in rent arrears with the council.
He was ordered to pay £1,901 under unlawful profit legislation as well as £1,750 costs.
“We don’t think the racial harassment was made out,” said Mrs Biddulph. “Ealing Council expect their properties go to deserving tenants.
“You’re an intelligent man, you are an editor. You should have known better.”
Maddix’s lawyer Mr. Meredoc McMinn said: “He has gone on to obtain qualifications in fashion after a difficult background.
“He has not profited enormously, it is not a huge amount of money and nobody would do it unless they had to.
“As a result of this verdict he is going to lose his home so the consequences are severe.”
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