Man jailed for conning gay prostitutes – again
A man jailed for conning male prostitutes has been handed another prison sentence for the same offence.
Michael Goldsmith, 40, of Menai Bridge, Gwynedd, Wales, was caught out when he tried to con an earlier victim again.
Goldsmith served eight months in prison after he was convicted of fraud for similar offences in 2008.
As soon as he was released, he began contacting gay escorts again.
He would find gay escorts online and offer them money to travel to Wales to stay with him in hotels and small B&Bs. Most of his victims were from the London area.
Goldsmith would write bad cheques to the hotel owners and mock up emails to the escorts with the insignia of his bank when they asked for payment.
In August 2009, a previous victim of Goldsmith’s called the police to say that the conman had got in touch with him again, unaware of who the escort was.
During an investigation, police found a further 14 victims, including hotel owners.
Eventually, Goldsmith was charged with seventeen counts of fraud by false representation and remanded in custody.
At Kingston crown court, he pleaded guilty to ten charges and was sentenced to three years in jail.
DC Colin Dady of Southwark Police, who investigated the case, said: “This is the second time I have investigated Mr Goldsmith for fraud. I would have hoped that he had learned his lesson from the last time.
“This investigation has taken a year to get to court because of the number of victims and complexity of the case. I am very pleased however, with the guilty plea. I would like to thank the victims for coming forward to the police and their cooperation during the investigation and my colleagues in North Wales for their assistance.”
Police believe there are other victims who have not yet come forward. They can call a dedicated LGBT line in confidence on 07722 026422
