8:30 am, November 2, 2026
An old-age pensioner has admitted posing as a car salesman in order to fraudulently get his hands on a vehicle as part of an elaborate scam to line his own pockets.
Leslie King, 74, of Skidmore Way, Rickmansworth, claimed to be a legitimate car salesman to persuade a victim to entrust their vehicle to him for sale.
However, it later emerged that King was lying about his position and was instead intending to profit from the transaction himself.
He has now appeared at St Albans Magistrates’ Court [pictured], where he pleaded guilty to a single charge of fraud by false representation.
The court heard that the offences occurred between June 18 and September 24, 2024.
The Watford Observer reports that Rickmansworth’s case was sent to St Albans Crown Court for sentencing, although a date has yet to be confirmed.
The 74-year-old has been released on unconditional bail but now faces a nervous wait ahead of his sentencing hearing.
Fraud by false representation carries a maximum sentence of 12 months in prison when dealt with in Crown Court, although an unlimited fine also remains an option.
A sentencing date is expected to be confirmed in due course.