Tourist swindled post offices across the Hebrides 28/2/13
A fraudster who cheated over £3,000 from post offices across Skye and the Western Isles was jailed for nine months when he was sentenced at Stornoway Sheriff Court this week.
Daniel Hinder, also known as Tom Edwards, returned from Holland and handed himself in because he wants a fresh start indicated his lawyer, Eilidh Macdonald.
Hinder swindled cash from post offices including £500 from Castlebay, £100 at Balivanich, £100 at Lochmaddy, £200 at Portree, £500 at Uig, Skye, £250 at Balallan, Lewis, £250 at Leurbost, Lewis, £500 at Tarbert, Harris and £250 at Byahead, Stornoway.
Procurator fiscal David Teale said the 29-
The fiscal said Hinder would engage the cashier or post office assistant in conversation and eventually persuade them to cash him a cheque which could never be honoured as he had a "very sizeable" overdraft. His bank had told him his cheques would not be covered.
Hinder also swindled the Harris Tweed Shop in Tarbert, Harris, out of £213 and failed to pay for £160 lodgings at a B&B guesthouse in Melbost, Point, Lewis.
None of the money was ever paid back but Ms Macdonald said he had nearly 4,000 euros in a Polish bank account available for compensation.
She said Hinder used his intelligence and charisma to hoodwink the post office staff because he was in a relationship and living a lifestyle he could not afford.
She said he returned from Holland to deal with outstanding issues and face the consequences for his offences.
She said: "He has come to an age he feels he has to move on."
The lawyer said Hinder was out of prison on licence until 26 June which requires him to reside in Bristol.
Hinder previously pleaded guilty to the charges.
He received a six month driving ban for using a car without insurance.