The concierge of a block of apartments pocketed more than £9,000 by illegally charging motorists to use its residents-only car park.
Garry Cornthwaite, 77, charged commuters up to £40 per month to park in unused bays at the Metropolitan block of flats in Lee Circle, Leicester city centre, police have said.
Cornthwaite, of Peake Road, Northfields, Leicester pleaded guilty to fraud by false representation at Leicester Magistrates' Court on Monday, November 18.
He was given a four-week prison sentence , suspended for 12 months, ordered to pay £85 costs and an £80 victim surcharge.
Police released details of the case yesterday.
Officers said Cornthwaite worked as a concierge at the block between December 2005 and 2013.
In that time, officers said, he illegally charged people to park in its secure car park.
Police said they identified nine people who had paid Cornthwaite for the right to park there.
He was subsequently charged with fraud by false representation to the value of £9,964.
Sgt Andy Smith, of city centre police, said yesterday: "Cornthwaite charged drivers £1.50 a day to park in the car park and dictated which spaces could be used as he was aware of which bays were unused by people living at the apartments.
"He abused his position at the apartments to gain financially.
"The fraud was brought to the attention of the police in September this year and even whilst the investigation was ongoing he continued to charge people believed to working locally £40 a month to park up until he was arrested in October.
"Officers carried out a thorough investigation into the report and through their hard work and diligence we were able to put a stop to Cornthwaite's criminal activities.
"There is still a possibility that there may have been more victims of his fraud and we would appeal to anyone who believes that they may have been charged for parking at the apartments to contact us."
Contact Pc Andy Moore on 101 or Crimestoppers, which is anonymous, on 0800 555 111.
