Derry man who never paid for phone ordered to pay £350 compensation

Derry Magistrate's Court heard today how a woman who placed an ad in order to sell her phone never received the money.

John Stephen Maughan (28) of Labre Park in Derry admitted a charge of fraud by false representation that occurred on July 1 2022.

The court heard that the injured party placed an ad on Gumtree offering items for sale for approximately £350.

She was contacted by the defendant and it was arranged for a meeting to take place.

At the meeting the price was agreed and Maughan showed the woman the money being transferred.

When it didn't go through the woman contacted Maughan who said there had been a mistake and the money would be paid but it wasn't.

Defence counsel Stephen Chapman said that this was 'a nasty offence'.

He said that this was the third offence from around the same time for the defendant.

Maughan was sentenced to 4 months in prison suspended for 3 years and ordered to pay £350 in compensation.