A Wallington letting agent who pocketed more than £15,000 of holding deposits from potential tenants has been jailed.

Thirugnanaselvam Damayantharan, of Demense Road, swindled £300 to £1,449 from would-be tenants through 33 fraudulent transactions.

Damayantharan, who ran agencies Airport House and My Lawn Estates from several addresses in Croydon, claimed the money would hold the property for them while credit reference checks were made.

Sometimes the transactions were for the same home, or for properties that he had not been appointed to let.

But when the move-in dates came Damayantharan would stall his clients by telling them the landlord had pulled out of the deal, or that there were delays with the paperwork.

When he was arrested the 53-year-old initially pleaded not guilty to two counts of fraudulent trading.

He changed his plea to guilty halfway through the trial after Croydon Crown Court heard evidence from 20 victims.

Damayantharan was then sentenced to 19 months imprisonment on Wednesday, March 8.

He is also disqualified from being a director of any company for of five years.

Judge Gower told the fraudster: “Before you changed your pleas, the court heard evidence from more than a dozen prospective tenants. All painted a similar picture.

“You were quick and efficient at relieving them of their money, if necessary by driving them, there and then, to cashpoint machines. Some have spoken of being made to feel rushed.

“Thereafter, they found it increasingly difficult to make contact with you, as the time for commencing the tenancy in their home grew ever nearer. A variety of different excuses were put forward by you as to why they were not able to move in.

“Only one prospective tenant managed to get back the whole deposit, but it took a considerable time and a great deal of persistence. The majority got nothing.

“The way you operated was thoroughly dishonest.”