News that a former On The Beach director was spared jail for a series of holiday scams has been greeted with dismay – especially as he had received a suspended sentence for fraud in 2011.
Johnny Pollard, 50, from Prestwich, conned £32,125 from 22 victims for non-existent trips to countries such as Australia, Dubai, Mexico and South Africa between 2016 and 2017.
At Minshull Street Crown Court, Manchester last week, Pollard was given a 20-month jail sentence, suspended for two years, after he admitted eight counts of fraud. He must also complete 20 rehabilitation activity days and 200 hours of unpaid work.
One of Pollard’s victims, Neil White, lost life savings of £9,800. He told Travel Weekly he had expected a custodial sentence for Pollard and was “disgusted” this did not happen.
A witness in the case, Francis Charig, said Pollard had sent invoices using Charig’s name and address. This had led to defrauded families travelling from Manchester to confront Charig and his wife.
“Claims by his legal team that he was appalled by what he had done do not ring true,” said Charig. “He is a recidivist, and it is wrong that he hasn’t been incarcerated.”
An Abta spokesperson said: “Unfortunately travel can be a tempting target for fraudsters. Abta has worked over the years with City of London police to raise awareness.”
Barry Gooch, chairman of Prevention of Fraud in Trade (Profit), said he was disappointed by the sentence “bearing in mind he has a previous suspended sentence”. Pollard’s 12-week suspended sentence in 2011 came after he pleaded guilty to fraud against Bookable Holidays.
“Courts must be willing to send a strong message by jailing serial offenders,” said Gooch. “Fraud is not a victimless crime and we pay for it through higher product prices and payment card and insurance charges.”
Judge Ciaran Rankin told Pollard: “You are nothing more than a conman, a thoroughly dishonest man. There has been considerable financial hardship in many households as a result of your actions.”
Separately, the Chartered Trading Standards Institute urged consumers to guard against holiday and passport scams as the main holiday season begins.
● Additional reporting: Cavendish Press (Manchester) Ltd