Lincolnshire hotel gets token compensation after fraud

A Lincolnshire hotel that lost out when a customer defaulted on a bill of almost £30,000 is to receive compensation - of just £1.

Michael Rasmussen, 51, was jailed for eight months by Lincoln Crown Court earlier this year when he admitted defrauding the Branston Hall hotel near Lincoln.

But now a Proceeds of Crime Hearing has established that Rasmussen, a dentist originally from Denmark now living in Lincoln, had no hidden assets.

As a result the court ordered that he should be pay a symbolic £1 in compensation to the hotel.

The initial hearing heard how Rasmussen and his partner had taken a series of rooms at the hotel living lavishly and entertaining other guests over a three week period.

According to the itemised bill, Rasmussen spent £14,929 on accommodation, £1,066 on phone calls, £3,436 on food and £8,226 on champagne and wine.

But when Rasmussen came to pay the bill he could only offer a cheque for £16,000, which bounced.

The court heard that Rasmussen tricked the hotel into believing that he was a wealthy man with an extensive portfolio of stocks and shares, when he was actually an unemployed dentist who had previously lived in rented accommodation.

Hotels news round up >>

Belfast caterer pays chef £22,500 in discrimination settlement >>

Reality TV stars wrongfully dismissed from hotel >>

Businessman duped into buying London's Ritz hotel >>

Hotels warned to be vigilant over fake credit cards >>

By Andrew Smith

E-mail your comments to Chris Druce here.

Caterersearch.com jobs
Looking for a new job? Find your next  hotel job here with Caterersearch.com jobs