County News: Sussex fraudster faces jail for defrauding police complaints commission
But Ian Every, 50, of New Town, Uckfield, was warned by the judge who bailed him to return to Blackfriars Crown Court for sentence on August 14 to expect jail.
“The court will have to consider a custodial sentence of some length,” Judge Peter Clarke QC told Every.
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Hide AdAdjourning sentencing though he added, “I want to see if you can make some arrangement to pay back the money. In itself it will not keep you out of prison, but it is a factor.”
The court was told that it was a casual comment about travel expenses by Every that initially prompted an investigation into his £20,000 fraud.
He pleaded guilty to one count of fraud by abuse of position, between March 1, 2009 and January 1, this year when he made dishonest claims for travel and hotel expenses.
Prosecutor Arizuna Asante told the court that it was Every’s loose tongue at an audit meeting on November 12, last year that led to his downfall.
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Hide Ad“During a meeting with the internal auditor he made the throwaway line: ‘I encourage people to claim for train tickets whenever they can,’” said Mr Asante.
“This led to a personal investigation into Mr Every’s claims and it was revealed he had made false travel refunds and false hotel booking refunds.
“He had claimed for tickets for his own personal travel without authorisation.”
The prosecution have calculated the loss at £20,357 and are pursuing compensation under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
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Hide AdEvery has previously revealed that he had significant outstanding debts to individuals, suffered from depression and also had a gambling addiction.
“The custody threshold has been passed,” said Mr. Asante. The guidelines indicate a maximum sentence of three years imprisonment.
Every’s lawyer Miss Josie Sonnossa told the court, “The defendant is well aware of the likely sentence. He is a man of previous good character.”
Regarding compensation she added, “There is some form of pension. If that can be offset he will do so.
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Hide Ad“He is currently in receipt of state benefits and is living with his parents.”
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