Honourable thief admits rent fraud in Pinxton

When a couple expecting a child paid £380 to rent a Pinxton home, they never realised that they were dealing with a fraudster. The crime, accepting rental proceeds under false pretenses is not uncommon in the UK. The suspect’s admission was uncommon.

Curtis Hood posed as the landlord of a Pinxton property after a relative vacated the home. A couple who was eagerly seeking to find accommodations due to an impending birth paid Hood £380 to cover rent.

The first oddity in the case was that he took the couple to a carpet store where they selected carpeting that he agreed to install in the home. Apparently replacement of the carpet may have been a condition of the couple to agree to move in.

The couple was alerted to the crime when a Bolsover District Council staffer informed them that they were illegally occupying a Council housing property. It was then that officials discovered that the couple had been the victims of fraud.

When Curtis Hood was investigated by police, he admitted his role in the crime. In an unusual act of admission by the accused, Mr. Hood humbly admitted his role to a Chesterfield magistrate who was hearing the case.

“I was wrong for what I did. It was for financial gain. There are no other issues in my life such as alcohol or drugs.”

The defendant represented himself in court and took full responsibility for the indiscretion. It is not something that usually occurs with this type of situation.

The crime occurred on March 26, 2014 in Pinxton. His case was heard by a Chesterfield magistrate on August 13. District Judge Andrew Davison initially adjourned the case to allow for more time before ordering a sentence.

The home was listed for rent on Gumtree.com. After the couple enquired about the property, Hood met them at the home for the tour, which is where he accepted their rental proceeds.

We frown on your crime Mr. Hood but we admire your honesty!