51AVÊÓƵ

Last July, Isobel and I sold eight hectares of hay to a man who contacted us through Facebook.

He arrived in a brand-new John Deere, paid for the first load in cash and offered to take the remainder at a slightly higher price as they were borrowing our bale trailer. A few days later they offered to buy the trailer.

We didnt think twice about it, he was well mannered and told a good story. Weeks and then months went by with no payment despite regular chasing.

After a quick Google search, we discovered he was on bail and in court having been charged with fraud. He was found guilty by a Jury at Ipswich Crown Court in October, owing more than 700,000 to farmers in similar circumstances to ours.

Despite getting a county court judgement and sending bailiffs round, we are unlikely to recover anything. Often when people are defrauded they dont talk about it, partly because of how embarrassing it feels, but this is how many fraudsters get away with their activities for so long. It is important that all fraud is reported to your local Trading Standards office.

I write about this today as his sentencing has been repeatedly delayed, now for the third time, and so despite his guilty verdict and dozen of lives and businesses in tatters, he still walks free.

While Trading Standards have been fantastic, the courts have completely let us and his other victims down.

In much more pleasant news, the new area we are living in has been a breath of fresh air. Moving to a new area, you might think youd be treated with some trepidation by the community, but we have found them to be incredibly welcoming.

Within days of us arriving, several people driving past our house would stop to say hello and Isobel and the kids have never had so many invitations for playdates and toddler groups. We feel very lucky to have ended up where we are.