A man who defrauded would-be tenants out of more than £77,000 by taking deposits for a spare room in his property that they were never able to move into has been jailed for 35 months.

Freddie Priestley, 34, of Leathermarket Court in Southwark, south London, was sentenced at Inner London Crown Court after being convicted of fraud by false representation.

The court heard that Priestley advertised a room in his three-bedroom flat in Bermondsey and accepted deposits from prospective tenants before repeatedly inventing reasons why they could not take up occupation. In many cases, he retained the money while continuing to target new victims.

In total, Priestley admitted defrauding tenants of £77,406. The court was told that some funds obtained from later victims were used to repay earlier ones.

During sentencing, the defence argued that Priestley’s actions were linked to ADHD and a long-standing gambling addiction. His lawyer told the court that he had become “penniless”, with earnings from both employment and the fraud spent on gambling.

However, the court imposed a prison sentence of 35 months for the offences.

Sentencing the fake landlord, the judge said: “I considered this case so serious and the results on those who were able to speak had such a detriment I take the view that this sentence should be a sentence that is served.”