Hotel fraudster to pay back just £1,000 of £14,000

A fraudster who cheated a succession of employers, including three Midlands hotels, out of more than £14,000 will have to pay back just £1,000.

James Leete, 28, was jailed for 21 months last November after he admitted eight offences of fraud and theft involving thousands of pounds.

On Friday, a proceeds of crime hearing at Gloucester crown court heard that Leete's criminal benefit had been £14,387.98. However, financial investigators had only been able to find available assets of £1,067.52 that can be seized from him.

Judge Timothy Rose certified both figures and gave Leete 28 days to pay, with a further one day in jail as default for non-payment. The amount was to be split and paid as compensation to Leete's victims, the judge ruled.

Fraudster jailed after stealing thousands from Midlands hotels >>