Great Shefford man Julian Cooper awaits sentencing for £135,000 fraud

A FRAUDSTER has been committed to the crown court for sentencing.

Julian Cooper admitted dishonestly gaining more than £135,000 of goods when he appeared in the dock at Reading magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, April 16.

The 56-year-old, of The Mead, Great Shefford, pleaded guilty to two charges.

First, he confessed to dishonestly claiming he was entitled to buy £110,902.04 worth of goods on his Jewson card.

He further admitted fraudulently claiming he had permission to sell goods, intending to dishonestly make a gain of £24,776.09 for himself.

Both offences were committed in Thatcham between July 1, 2022, and August 31 last year.

Magistrates deemed their own powers of punishment could be insufficient and declined further jurisdiction.

They therefore ordered pre-sentence reports before committing both matters to be sentenced by a judge sitting at Reading Crown Court on a date to be fixed.

Cooper was meanwhile released on unconditional bail.