A FRAUDSTER who claimed he was a bailiff to try to recover money he believed he was owed has been given a suspended jail term.

Teesside Crown Court heard today (Friday October 17) that Stuart Veitch, 57, made a County Court claim to recoup £1,000 he said he was owed by Mids Auto Services of Marske for the disposal of a vehicle.

Veitch lost his claim but still went to the garage claiming he was a bailiff acting on behalf of the court and had a warrant to recover the money.

To prevent Veitch from taking any items from the business, the garage owner gave him £200.

However, Veitch, of St Catherine Close, Fishburn, continued to contact the garage owner claiming that he was a collection agent called David Smith who was trying to recover the remaining £800.

Veitch pleaded guilty to fraud.

In mitigation the court heard he had not been convicted of an offence for 13-years but had returned to crime during a difficult period in his life which included wrangles over access to his children and his mother being hospitalised.

He was given 18-weeks in jail, suspended for two years, plus a 12-month supervision order and £200 compensation order.