Wedding studio boss cheated his parents out of £39,000

A MAN defrauded his parents out of almost £39,000 as he tried to keep his failing wedding photography business afloat, a court heard.

Asta Philpot, 35, took out loans and credit card debts shortly before his company was made bankrupt in May this year.

Leeds Crown Court was told Philpot initally used his own credit cards to try to save the business but then began obtaining finance in his mother’s and father’s name.

Lydia Carroll, prosecuting, said Philpot set up nine accounts with V12 Finance and six accounts with O2 in order to obtain money.

He also used his father’s credit card to spend £9,940.

Miss Carroll said the offending came to light on May 20 this when Philpot broke down in tears and confessed to his father what he had done.

Philpot later moved out of the family home due to shame he felt at what he had done.

Philpot, of Moor Road, Beeston, pleaded guilty to four offences of fraud.

Philpot had set up the wedding photography business five years ago after being made redundant from his previous job and employed other people.

The court heard Philpot, who appeared in court in an electric wheelchair, was born with arthrogryposis which affects movement in his arms and legs.

Judge Robin Mairs told the court he had read a pre-sentence report, saying: “It is one of the most powerful documents in mitigation I have ever read.”

The judge said he accepted Philpot had not committed the offence to spend money on “frivolous purposes” but had made genuine attempts to keep his business afloat.

He said: “You employed others and did not want the business to fail.

“When you began to suffer further ill health it was difficult to keep the business afloat and pay your employees. You started to use your parents’ finances without their knowledge.”

Philpot was given an eightmonth prison sentence, suspended for 12 months.

He was ordered to take part in a 20-day activity programme designed to address his offending behaviour.