Hastings and Icklesham men ordered to pay thousands to fraud victims

Following an investigation by the Sussex Police Economic Crime Unit, Adam White, of Main Road, Icklesham, had been sentenced to five-and-a-half years at Lewes Crown Court on November 23 last year, for fraud by false representation against Rother District Council and conspiracy to defraud PayPal, Sky, John Lewis and Marks and Spencer.

Now, following further enquiries by expert police financial investigators, at a hearing at Brighton Crown Court on May 17 this year, White has been ordered under the Proceeds Of Crime Act (POCA) to pay a total of £9,458 which will be paid back to victims as compensation orders.

Of that money, £2,405 will go to Sky Individual Customers, £4,901 will go to Sky, £864 will go to Rother District Council and £287 will go to Paypal.

The 31-year-old was given six months to pay and will serve an extra six months if it is not paid in that time, and will still have to pay.

The court also handed White a Serious Crime Prevention Order (SCPO) to try and assist in the prevention of further offences when he is released from prison.

Three other defendants appeared at the same Court for a POCA hearing on April 15.

No Order was made in the case of Emma Lockwood, 27, of Piltdown Close, Hastings, as funds had been transferred to her partner and co-defendant Jason Agoston.

Agoston, 31, of the same address, was ordered to repay a compensation figure of £2,015.40 to PayPal, with six months to pay and two months imprisonment if he is then in default of payment, and will still have to pay.

Carly Pepper, 27, of the same address as White, was ordered to pay a nominal sum to PayPal.

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