A TEENAGE Walter Mitty’ has been given a suspended jail sentence for an �82,000 fraud posing as business tycoon to swindle small companies to maintain a lavish, highflying lifestyle. He’d already duped London businesses out of another �20,000 when he had his collar felt

By Mike Brooke

A TEENAGE Walter Mitty’ has been given a suspended jail sentence for an �82,000 fraud posing as business tycoon to swindle small companies to maintain a lavish, highflying lifestyle.

He’d already duped London businesses out of another �20,000 when he had his collar felt for this latest string of deceptions.

James Cameron, a 19-year-old from Neutron Tower at Blackwall Way, within site of London’s wealthy Canary Warf business district, posed as the director of a West End fashion house.

He hired a photographic studio, professional models, hair and make-up artists and photographers to embark on a four-day fashion shoot.

But none of these people or companies was ever paid.

He would also open accounts with private hire car firms and enjoyed being chauffeured around London and running up unpaid invoices in the process. One cab firm lost �20,000.

A police investigation uncovered offences involving 11 victims all over London and two offences in Hampshire.

“Cameron posed as a successful entrepreneur at the expense of others,” said Det Con Kate Giles. “But he didn’t actually make any money for himself, just simply enjoyed living the high life.

“Now he has been publicly named and identified, to deter him from continuing his fraudulent Walter Mitty’ lifestyle.”

Cameron was sentenced to 50 weeks, suspended for two years, and slapped with a community order of 200 hours unpaid work and given 12 months’ supervision.

He admitted nine fraud charges at Southwark Crown Court. Cameron was previously in court for similar offences of �20,000 shortly before being prosecuted for these latest offences.