Guesthouse conman is given a hefty fine

Alan Kennedy, 51, spent weeks living at addresses in Battle and Ardingly between February and June but left without paying the owners a penny in rent.

In each case he lied that he was employed by large businesses and that the companies had agreed to pay for his accommodation.

But not only did he not work for the companies, they had never heard of him.

The offences were committed at St Mary’s Terrace in Battle and at the Ardingly Inn, Ardingly.

Officers linked Kennedy to each of the offences in turn and the fraudster admitted what he had done.

Kennedy, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to three counts of fraud by false representation when he appeared at Crawley Magistrates’ Court on September 17.

He was given a 24-month conditional discharge and was ordered to pay £1878 compensation, £85 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.

Sergeant Rebecca Ostach , of Sussex Police, said: “Kennedy is a clever, accomplished liar who managed to convince a number of people that he was a businessman whose companies would foot the bill for his accommodation.

“In fact he had no links to the companies and he had no intention of paying the bill.

“I have no doubt that if we had not arrested him he would have continued to claim more victims.

“The conditional discharge means that he must not commit any offences like this during the next two years or he will be re-sentenced for these crimes and could be jailed.”

Anyone with information about fraud should email [email protected] or call Sussex Police on 101.

Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.