Wick man jailed after thefts and frauds totalling £30,000

Sean Bainsfair, 21, of Hampton Fields, pleaded guilty to 17 offences at Chichester Crown Court last week.

The court heard that between August and October last year, Bainsfair bought a number of pieces of jewellery and electrical goods with cheques that later bounced, and hired machinery that he never returned.

DC Jamie Carruthers, of Littlehampton CID led the investigation. He said after the hearing: “I am pleased with the result of this case, and hope the custodial sentence will be a deterrent to others who wish to commit offences of theft and fraud.

“This investigation involved a lot of work, but we are committed to holding offenders to account for their actions.”

Bainsfair was arrested at his home on November 27, and police seized a Toshiba laptop computer, a Samsung LCD flat screen television, and documents relating to the hire of carpet cleaning machines and generators.

DC Carruthers added: “A small number of items of property were recovered during the investigation. I do not know what has happened to the many outstanding items, but I would ask that if anyone has information in relation to their whereabouts that they contact Littlehampton CID on 0845 60 70 999, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

In August, the court heard, Bainsfair bought five laptops from West Sussex Computer Store, in East Preston, and a flat screen television from an address in Hove with cheques that later bounced. In September he bought 13 pieces of jewellery from Howell Jewellers, Felpham, with cheques that never cleared.

Evidence was also given that he hired generators from Travis Perkins, Bognor, HSS Hire, Chichester, Jewson, in Portslade, and P&I Generators, Havant, as well as Rug Doctor carpet cleaning machines from B&Q, Worthing, and a host of other stores, but never returned them.