A PENSIONER who pleaded guilty to participating in a fraudulent business has been sentenced by a court in Cornwall.

Peter Walnes, aged 76, of Rosudgeon, appeared at Truro Crown Court on Tuesday, June 6 on one count of participating in a fraudulent business.

The offence took place between June 2019 and October 2021 in West Cornwall where Walnes ran a business buying and selling cameras and photography equipment. 

The court heard how, initially, Walnes' business had been legitimate and provided an income for him and his partner.

However, when the Covid-19 pandemic hit, business slowed and Walnes began to take money from customers for items he would never send them. On other occasions, Walnes would pretend to sell items for customers but never pass on the money received for them.

In total, 16 victims were identified, with one victim losing approximately £150,000 to Walnes. In total, Walnes took £187,000 from customers over the two year period.

Prosecutors explained to the court that Walnes had given a number of excuses to customers as to why their items or cash never arrived, including that he himself had been a victim of fraud. He would also make up fake tracking numbers and inform customers chasing payments that he was due large sums from elsewhere with which he could pay them.

The court heard how Walnes had been "robbing Peter to pay Paul."

Walnes admitted he had been lying to customers and pleaded guilty to participating in a fraudulent business at a pre-trial preparation hearing back in January.

During his sentencing, Recorder Kenefick told Walnes: "You were running a business buying and selling cameras and equipment online. Part of this business involved selling items on commission. 

"At first, for quite some time, the business went well. The pandemic hit and business slowed down. As a result, you started not paying customers for items they had given you to sell. You also started selling items to customers, taking payment, then not sending the items.

"It's been suggested you were 'robbing Peter to pay Paul.'

"What you were doing was not engaging in fraud to fund some lavish lifestyle, you were finding yourself in a position where you could not pay debts. So, you took payment from others and used that to pay customers to whom you owed money.

"The total value of those losses is significant.

" I also accept that your motive was to 'trade' your way out of the situation you found yourself in.

"This case is clearly so serious that the custody threshold is passed."

Walnes was handed down a sentence of 24 months imprisonment, suspended for 24 months.

Recorder Kenefick finished by telling Walnes: "You won't be going to prison today, but you will have a sentence of 24 months for the next 24 months. If you commit any crime you will find yourself back in court."