FRAUDSTER Darren Pottage, who stole more than £1,800 from a friend by pretending to book her a holiday to California, escaped with a suspended jail sentence.

Eighteen-year-old Emma Hulme handed over money she had saved up to Pottage, a friend who was in debt to loan sharks.

She had her suitcases packed ready to go, but just days before departure found out Pottage had not made any booking and she would not be going on holiday.

Pottage, aged 37, of Silver Close, Biddulph, admitted charges of theft and fraud, but his punishment was deferred pending repayment of the debt to Miss Hulme.

Pottage turned up for sentence at Stafford Crown Court yesterday with a banker's draft for £1,875.

David Iles, defending, told the court: "It is a banker's draft, it doesn't bounce, it represents cash he's earned these recent months, as he promised the learned judge. He can only apologise to the court and to Miss Hulme."

Pottage was given a four-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, and ordered to do 150 hours' unpaid work and to pay £1,875 compensation to Miss Hulme along with £722 costs.

Judge John Wait told him: "You took substantial sums of money from a girl you knew didn't have much money.

"She was scrimping and saving for what she thought would be an exciting holiday. You used that money to pay off debts of your own. It was mean."

At the previous hearing in March the court heard that Pottage's girlfriend was a friend of Miss Hulme and they all planned to go on holiday to California.

Pottage claimed to have booked the flights and took £515 off Miss Hulme, who also made a dozen further payments to him totalling £1,360.

As the departure date in June approached, Pottage produced phoney email "tickets" for the flight, which he said had been put back until July.

Miss Hulme had her clothing packed but the departure day came and went and she heard nothing more from Pottage.

When arrested he told officers he had debts.

Pottage had borrowed £3,000 from Manchester loan sharks who were demanding £7,000 back.

Recorder Miss Diane Cotton deferred sentence so Pottage could repay Miss Hulme.

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