The former boss of a Worcester and Redditch-based lettings agency was today given a suspended jail term for fraud offences which led to hundreds of clients losing money they had paid as deposits.

Brandon Weston, aged 42, of White Ladies Aston, near Worcester, was given a 12-month term suspended for two years and told to carry out 250 hours of unpaid community work when he appeared before Worcester Crown Court.

His co-accused, David Christopher Williams, aged 47, of Church Lane, Whittington, near Worcester, received an eight-month jail term, suspended for two years, for forgery.

He was also ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid community work.

• See tomorrow's Worcester News for the full court story.