B&B farmers nab con-man
20 February 2001
B&B farmers nab con-man
By FWi staff
MEMBERS of the Devon Farms Accommodation group have given one bed-and-breakfast guest a memorable stay – courtesy of HM prison in Exeter.
A con-man who had been enjoying a life of free accommodation fell victim to the groups system of alerting members if guests depart early without paying.
The man, who police say had absconded from a bail hostel, was arrested while staying at a B&B owned by a friend of a Devon Farms member.
The B&B owner had requested advice from Devon Farms, which in turn consulted the Farm Stay (UK) network which represents more than 1000 farms.
It turned out the man had left another farm without paying earlier in the year. Now the group hopes the system will pay dividends in the future.
Details of a gentleman who left a farm in Kent without paying and is thought to be heading to Devon have already been circulated to 120 farms.