A ‘ONE man crime wave’ has seen a Somerset thief jailed for 20 months after admitting dozens of crimes at B&Bs and hotels across the county.

Damien Evans, 38, was sentenced at Taunton Crown Court on Thursday, April 23.

Among Evans’ targets was The Lodge bed and breakfast in Buckland St Mary.

He admitted a dozen offences and asked for another 19 to be taken into consideration by the court.

Investigating officer DC Jim Card said: “Damien Evans admitted offences all over Somerset, North Somerset and Bristol, with the majority in the Mendips.

“He would book into a small hotel or B&Bs, steal items like bank cards from private areas and then leave without paying.

“He’d use the stolen bank cards to order goods. I am glad he has taken an early opportunity to admit his crimes.”

Evans, of Glastonbury, admitted six counts of fraud by false representation between 12 January and 9 February 2020.

He also pleaded guilty to:

  • burglary with intent to steal at an office on 10 January
  • two counts of making off without payment on 7 and 23 February
  • handling stolen goods
  • theft
  • driving without due care and attention in Keynsham High Street on 27 February

Kathy and Neil Arnold have run the Lodge House B&B, in Buckland St Mary, for eight years and said the incident meant they had ‘lost their trust in people’.

When Evans arrived at The Lodge he used the fake name Richard Church, and turned up late in the evening.

Mr Arnold told the News that Lodge House has previously provided a temporary home to people working on the A303, so the scammer’s stay did not raise any red flags.

It wasn’t until they woke up the next morning that they realised their visitor had left in the night, taking credit cards, £50 of cash and £300 in lost trade.

After Evans was sentenced to 20 months in jail, Mr Arnold said: “At the time I felt cheated and bereft of trust.

“We trusted this guy to come into our house, and he made off with cash, cards, and without paying for accommodation.

“Then he carried it all out again at another hotel near us a week later.”

Kathy and Neil said they they were ‘pleased’ that Evans had been jailed, and said “hopefully we can put all this behind us.”

As well as losing money in the crime, the Arnolds have had to spend on more locks and CCTV cameras as security measures.

“He was a one man crime wave,” Mr Arnold added.

“All the crimes that he has carried out have taken up an inordinate amount of time for us and the police.

“Unfortunately, he will be out in next to no time.

“Hopefully this is the last we hear of him.”

Chard & Ilminster News:

Damien Evans, 38, of Glastonbury