An agent who rented out empty homes which were for sale through his employer’s agency pocketed the best part of £10,000 in rent and deposits.

Andrew Boyne, 34, is now awaiting sentencing.

He advertised the properties for rent on Gumtree. He conned potential tenants into paying him and at least two are said to have actually moved in.

Boyne was employed by Martin & Co in Exeter.

His bosses had no idea what was going on behind their backs and only became suspicious after Boyne let himself into the office when it was closed at the weekend and helped himself to more than £1,000 cash. He used the money to pay off gambling debts.

The company was left out of pocket because it had to refund some of the victims, Exeter Crown Court heard.

Boyne admitted theft and 13 counts of fraud, committed between January and March this year.

Gareth Evans, prosecuting, said the total amount involved is close to £10,000, including the £1,025 stolen from the office.

He said the frauds all involved properties which were for sale “with his employers or associated estate agents”.

He said: “The defendant would advertise properties for rent on Gumtree in his own name which were for sale with the agency. When people viewed them he would ask for a £200 holding fee and in some cases rent in advance.

“On more than one occasion, people would actually move in, only to be told later that they had no right to be there.”

Lee Bremridge, defending, said Boyne had got into financial difficulties and tried to solve them by gambling. He now works for a marketing company and has sought help for his gambling problem.

Judge Graham Cottle adjourned his case for a pre-sentence report and released him on bail. He told him: “This type of offence was pretty blatant.”

Last night, a spokesperson for The Property Franchise Group, which is the umbrella group for firms including Martin & Co, told EYE: “Martin & Co seeks to employ talented, professional, career minded individuals. This person slipped through the net and has caused damage to our reputation in Exeter.

“His criminal activities were unknown to our franchisee, who co-operated fully with the authorities in their investigation, and subsequent successful prosecution.”

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