Homeless man booked hotel with work account
9:05am Thursday 1st November 2012 in News
A BOLTON at Home employee has admitted using his work account to book a hotel and storage unit after he was made homeless.
Lloyd Reid, aged 31, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to four charges of fraud before Bolton magistrates yesterday.
The court heard that Reid had been employed as a management support officer by Bolton at Home for three years when he became homeless in April, 2012.
Reid, whose job role included making bookings and reservations for Bolton at Home, used his work account to book two nights at the Holiday Inn and to pay for a storage unit to keep his possessions in.
Peter Leather, defending, said: “They are offences of desperation, to find a roof over his head and a place to store his belongings.
“This is a very unsophisticated fraud committed by a man who had got himself into financial straits.”
The court heard that Reid had debts of £8,000 and before being made homeless he had his hours cut at work. He is currently suffering from mild depression and stress and does not have a permanent place to live.
Reid has eight previous convictions for 13 offences including fraud and theft.
Bolton magistrates adjourned sentencing until today to allow for a report to be prepared by probation.
