A letting agent has been jailed after admitting fraud.

Timothy Glasson, who owned Tim Glasson Estate Agents in Camborne, Cornwall, took tenants’ deposits money.

He had also failed to pass rent on to landlords “on numerous occasions”, a court heard.

One of his victims was an 87-year-old woman, living on reduced means and who lost over £2,000 – described as a “small fortune” to her.

The case once again calls into question the lack of controls over letting agents and how they run their businesses, using client money if they wish.

Glasson, who had previously pleaded guilty to ten counts of fraud, was sentenced at Truro Crown Court to 21 months.

Tom Bradnock, for the Crown Prosecution Service, said Glasson would simply lie about the rent money, saying he had not received it or that there were admin problems.

Glasson also failed to pay deposits into the Deposit Protection Scheme, instead using the money to keep his business afloat and fund his own lifestyle.

He was also said to have debts of up to £40,000.

Piers Norsworthy, defending, said Glasson was “quite ashamed as to what he has done” and would return the money if he could.

He added that Glasson was currently receiving Job Seekers’ Allowance and had been evicted from his home of five years but was suing his former landlord.

Judge Christopher Harvey Clark QC said Glasson had caused financial loss, distress, inconvenience and immense frustration to a large number of victims.

After the hearing, Det Con Jon Viant said: “He has cause stress and anxiety to a lot of vulnerable victims and they will be pleased with today’s result.”

Glasson originally appeared in court more than a year ago in June 2013 to face 12 charges of abusing his position intending to cause loss or exposure to risk of loss to individuals between 2010 and 2013.