Fraudster caught in Sutton with false ID documents finally jailed after dodging his own trial
A fraudster caught in Sutton with false identity documents, including a passport and bank cards in someone else’s name, has finally been jailed after he dodged his own trial.
Martin Fatunmbi, 47, failed to attend Nottingham Crown Court in September and was found guilty in his absence of fraud by false representation and given a 12 month sentence in February, said Dawn Pritchard, prosecuting.
A police hunt was sparked and he was finally returned to court on Thursday.
He presented a Nigerian passport, as well as Monzo and Santander bank cards, in a bid to obtain a mobile phone contract with Vodafone, in Sutton, on September 8, 2023.
Digby Johnson, mitigating, said: “He is a man who has brought more trouble on himself than anyone else.”
He explained that Fatunmbi has lived in the UK and worked for a bio-tech company in Kent since 2004.
But when his relationship broke down last summer he was forced to sleep in his car or office, and had “buried his head in the sand.”
“He had other priorities,” Mr Johnson said. “He has four children. He was trying to make sure he didn’t lose his job.
"You can see he has a busy life."
He added that Fatunmbi also faces issues with deportation.
Judge Michael Auty KC told him: “You are a fool on the one hand. On the other, you have a great deal to be said about you.”
Fatunmbi, aged 47, formerly of Ashen Drive, Dartford, Kent, received an additional two months to the 12 month sentence for failing to attend court twice.