Husband racked up debts in wife’s name
GAMBLING ADDICT FRAUDULENTLY OBTAINED CREDIT CARDS
A SNEAKY husband racked up thousands of pounds of debt on three credit cards in his wife’s name which she knew nothing about.
Darren Freeman was battling debts and a gambling habit when he decided to fraudulently sign up for the cards from Barclays, Tesco and Nationwide.
The scam had been running for more than four years by the time Samantha Freeman became aware of what was going on when she got correspondence about a card she was unaware of.
In total, Freeman had accrued debts of £14,334, Newcastle Crown Court heard.
Joe Hedworth, prosecuting, said: “The complainant is the wife of the defendant. He obtained three credit card in his wife’s name without her knowledge or permission.
“She first became aware of the situation in June 2019 when she got correspondence from the bank about a credit card she knew nothing about.
“She contacted the company and they sent her statements going back to November 2014.”
Mrs Freeman then got a credit report and found two further credit cards had been taken out in her name by her husband.
There was an outstanding balance of £7,025 on the Barclays card, £3,415 on the Tesco card and £3,892 on the Nationwide card.
The court heard Barclays and Nationwide wrote off the debt but Tesco has not.
Mr Hedworth said: “Samantha Freeman spoke to her husband and he eventually made a confession about obtaining the cards using her details.”
Mrs Freeman reported it to the police and her husband was arrested.
Mr Hedworth said: “He said he obtained the cards in 2013 and 2014 to
pay off gambling debts.
“He said he always intended to repay it but started using them as if they were normal cards.
“He was struggling financially. He said he applied for them without her knowledge or consent and did so on his work computer.”
The court heard Mrs Freeman was left finding it difficult to eat and sleep as a result of what happened and moved out of the family home, but she did not want Freeman jailed due to the impact it could have on their daughter.
Freeman, 48, of Larchwood Drive, Ashington, Northumberland, pleaded guilty to three counts of fraud by false representation and was sentenced to eight months suspended for 12 months.
Judge Robert Spragg told him: “These offences were as a result of a gambling addiction you have taken steps to address.
“You are in full-time work, earning good money.”
Kate Barnes, defending, said: “He feels deep shame and embarrassment at these offences.
“He has references and a letter he has written which hopefully portray a much more accurate picture of him.
“He has not simply frittered away money on gambling. They started married life with debts and Mrs Freeman had post-natal depression and Mr Freeman tried to cope alone with the family finances and well-being.
“He was seeking release in gambling. “Most of the money spent on credit cars was spent on day to day expenses – shopping and groceries and such like.”
Miss Barnes added that Freeman has mental health issues but has been given support and help through his employment.
The couple are now separated and Freeman is looking after their teenage daughter, Miss Barnes said.
He is making payments towards the Tesco credit card bill.