THE sentence handed down to Worcester businessman Brandon Weston has been dismissed as a “kick in the teeth” for tenants.

Steve Harriott, the chief executive of the Tenancy Deposit Scheme, said the suspended sentences given to Weston and his accountant Chris Williams were too lenient.

We reported how Weston, former owner of estate agent Premier Places, admitted four counts of fraud between April 2007 and February 2009.

Last Friday, Weston, of White Ladies Aston, near Worcester, was sentenced to 12 months in jail suspended for two years, after taking thousands from tenants’ ring-fenced deposit accounts.

Williams, of Chruch Lane, Whittington, near Worcester, admitted three counts of forgery between June 1, 2007, and February 28, 2008, after forging an accountant’s signature.

He was given an eight month jail term suspended for two years with an order to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work.

The amounts defrauded from tenants range from £400 to more than £1,000 and the money was paid back through insurances.

The Tenancy Deposit Scheme paid out more than £63,000 to tenants as a result of this case.

Mr Harriott said it was shocking that stealing deposits and making false claims to accreditation bodies for the lettings industry should result in only a few hours’ community service.

He said: “Not only were their actions fraudulent they served to undermine the excellent work of properly self-regulated agents.

"Criminals like this should go to jail, not have their sentences suspended.

“They have defrauded private individuals and brought disrepute to the private rented sector.”

He added: “The law requires deposits to be protected through authorised tenancy deposit schemes and this case highlights once again the need for regulation of the private rented sector and for the courts to take these frauds and the protection of consumers more seriously.”

Neither Weston nor Williams were available to comment.