Man sentenced for fraudulent compensation claim

A fraudster who fabricated a story to gain money from a café has been sentenced.

Ian McEnroe, 62, entered a café in Terminus Road, Eastbourne, and sought to make a claim for compensation.

He told staff that his granddaughter had cut her lip on a milkshake cup, causing blood to spill over his car.

But the story was a lie, and the staff member recalled that no milkshakes had been served the previous day.

McEnroe was identified from CCTV of the incident when he was in custody, and was charged with fraud by false representation.

At Brighton Magistrates’ Court on 15 January he was found guilty of the charge after a trial.

The court was told how McEnroe entered the café at 7pm on 19 June, 2024, claiming his granddaughter had entered the previous day to order a milkshake.

He claimed £80 for a car valet service for split blood caused from the milkshake cup.

But a staff remember recalled that no milkshakes had been served.

It was revealed that McEnroe, of Staplefield Drive, Brighton, has 38 previous convictions for 192 offences, more than 150 of which are for similar fraud claims against businesses.

McEnroe was sentenced to 26 weeks in prison, and the court also imposed a new Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) to last for five years.

The CBO states that McEnroe must not make a refund or compensation claim from any retail or food premises in Sussex. He must report any incidents to police within 24 hours, and he is obliged to make a declaration to any food or retail premises, in writing, that he has been convicted for previous fraudulent refund and compensation requests.

Speaking after the case, Sergeant Daniel Turk said: “McEnroe has dozens of previous convictions for fraud by false representation, and working alongside partner agencies, we were able to identify him in connection with this investigation.

“We are pleased that a prolific offender has received a significant custodial sentence, and a Criminal Behaviour Order to tackle his fraudulent behaviour.”