Jail for teenager in lucrative eBay scam (From Free Press Series)

Jail for teenager in lucrative eBay scam

A teenage swindler, who loved the high life and got a "buzz" from conning people on the internet, is behind bars.

Philip Percival Shortman, formerly of Chester Close, New Inn, Pontypool, and who has just turned 18, was described at Cardiff crown court as a loner who "lacked the social skills to make friends". He told police he had become "addicted" to his lifestyle.

It was revealed last year how he flew to New York with his girlfriend, and hired helicopter flights over Manhattan.

Police estimated that Shortman stole at least £85,000. Of that, £45,875 has been accounted for.

He found his riches bought him the friends he had always desired. He treated them to nights on the town in chauffeur-driven limousines and lavished cash on them, only to be deserted when the bubble burst.

When police raided his Chester Close home in New Inn where he then lived with his parents they found a stockpile of hi-fi equipment, camcorders, DVD players, phones and a quad bike.

Last Wednesday, he was sentenced to youth detention and a training order for 12 months for a string of deception charges, which he admitted. Judge Roderick Denyer, who lifted an order banning Shortman's identification, said he had a "sublime contempt for the law".

He had pleaded guilty to 21 counts of obtaining property by deception, amounting £16,105, and asked the court to take a further 63 offences into consideration, amounting to £29,770.

Prosecutor Stuart McLeese told Cardiff crown court Shortman committed the offences between October 2004 and September 2004.

He described how the teenager used a variety of names and three bank accounts, and advertised items like computers and mobile phones for sale on the eBay auction site.

In fact, Shortman, who was excluded from school at 15, and had trouble holding down a job, did not possess any of them. The fraudster simply pocketed the money.

When asked by buyers where the items were, he stalled them by making excuses, or in some cases even threatened or abused victims over the phone.

The court heard in one case he said: "Ha, ha you've been done", while he told another: "This is my business, I make people fools."

Mr McLeese said Shortman was arrested and bailed in January 2004 after police had searched his home, but continued offending. He was again arrested and interviewed on April 19, 2004, and admitted committing the offences and was again bailed and continued to offend. Finally, he was arrested in September 2004.

Police forces from across the country were involved in the case and it is estimated there could be hundreds of victims who chose not to come forward. One who did lost £2,500.

Judge Roderick Denyer ordered the forfeiture of 18 items owned by Shortman. He also ordered the fraudster to hand over £615 - the only cash he had left.

Lawrence Jones, defending, told the court Shortman had been shunned in his local community of Cwmbran, where it's understood he had latterly been living with his young wife and baby.

Mr Jones said it was "unfortunate" that Shortman had been able to continue offending even after being arrested. He asked the court to consider the effect a jail sentence would have on Shortman's wife and child.The court heard Shortman suffered psychiatric problems as a child, and lived in care for six months.

Passing sentence, Judge Denyer said: "The public has a right to protection from people like you."