A MAN who committed several frauds in relation to property lettings in Bournemouth has avoided an immediate prison sentence.

Kevin Mark Christie, aged 55 and of Carysfort Road, Bournemouth, was convicted of three counts of fraud by false representation at Poole Magistrates' Court.

The offences, which were all prove in the defendant's absence back in May after he pleaded not guilty, related to letting flats in 2018.

The court heard between July 16, 2018, and August 11, 2018, Christie made a false representation in telling a woman he would let a flat to her with the intention of making a gain of £1,175.

He committed the same offence against a man over the same period, with the intention of gaining £1,325.

Lastly, he made a third false presentation relating to a property let between August 31, 2018, and September 15, 2019, with the intention of gaining £2,200.

At a sentencing hearing on October 8, District Judge Stephen Nicholls committed the defendant to prison for a total of 12 months, suspended for 18 months. This order included a requirement to complete up to 25 days of rehabilitation activity requirement and carry out 180 hours of unpaid work.

Christie was also told to pay a total of £7,500 compensation to his victims.