Court / Man’s ‘tangled web of deceit’ results in prison sentence

AN “OUT and out liar” who defrauded the owners of an island farm to the tune of tens of thousands of pounds has been sent to prison.

Sheriff Ian Cruickshank told Lerwick Sheriff Court on Wednesday that Matthew Whiles had indulged in an “incredibly tangled web of deceit”.

The court heard that Whiles, whose address is unknown, pretended that he was the victim of theft and had no means to pay for goods and services himself when he took on a job at the farm in Fetlar.

The 48-year-old was covered financially by his employers with the view of reimbursing them, but ended up defrauding them.

The court was told that the total “quantifiable” loss stood at around £20,000, although the sums of money involved in all transactions topped £40,000.

The total direct benefit to Whiles of goods and services amounted to around £10,000.

Whiles, who appeared from custody via video link, admitted forming the fraudulent scheme between 1 August 2017 and 6 July 2018 to obtain goods, services and money, using a pretend name and claiming he was entitled hold a driving licence.

Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie said Whiles had answered a job advert placed by the farm owners in 2017, and although he initially did not land the role, he was later offered a job.

But the court heard that a “glowing reference” provided as part of his application was faked by Whiles himself.

Before Whiles arrived in Shetland, he claimed that he was the victim of a theft and had no means to pay for anything himself or access funds.

The farm owners paid for his travel, deducting costs from his wage, while they also supported him in buying foods and services.

But Whiles made no efforts to make payment to reduce his debt, the court heard, with only contributions taken from his monthly wage.

Mackenzie said Whiles maintained the “fiction”, which included “grandiose” claims of selling a farm in Wales.

The court heard that Whiles obtained three vehicles from a Shetland garage under false pretences, including one meant for his partner which he said he would repay the farm company for.

One vehicle, a Ford Ranger, was written off by Whiles – with the farm owners claiming most of the cost back on insurance.

A second vehicle obtained by Whiles was later sold by the farm owners, who also recouped most of the outlay.

On a third occasion Whiles simply entered the garage and told staff to invoice the farm owners for a vehicle.

The court heard that the complainers decided to pay this invoice rather than endure the “embarrassment” with the garage.

Mackenzie said there were also improvements to the farm worth more than £13,000 involved in the fraud scheme.

“He basically lies for the sake of telling lies,” the fiscal said, adding that he was “spinning elaborate stories”.

The farm owners began to become concerned about Whiles’ behaviour, and when he was aware of their concerns he fled.

Some of the last purchases using the farm owners’ money was a tent and camping equipment.

Defence agent Paul Barnett said his client “very much regrets committing the offence”.

He said pleading guilty at an early stage avoided a potentially lengthy and costly trial.

The solicitor added that Whiles has no intention of returning to Shetland.

Sheriff Cruickshank said it was a “very extravagant and complicated fraudulent scheme”.

He recalled a line of poetry which reads: “’Oh what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive.”

The sheriff continued: “What we have here is an incredibly tangled web of deceit.”

He said the complainers could go down the civil route regarding lost money, but acknowledged that the accused was not in a position to offer compensation.

Sheriff Cruickshank said the maximum prison sentence in the circumstances was 12 months, and Whiles was given a discount of two months to reflect his early plea.

The ten-month sentence was backdated to when Whiles first entered custody on 12 October.