A crooked shopkeeper who swindled thousands of pounds out of elderly and infirm customers by misusing their bank details had a “lucky escape” when he was spared prison.

A police probe was sparked when an 86-year-old woman’s family became suspicious after Rubathas Singarajah siphoned just under £4,000 from her account, Jack Ferdinando told Nottingham Crown Court.

His victim was never able to provide a statement because she suffered from dementia and has since died following his offending spree between October 2021 and June 2023.

Singarajah was traced through his email and phone number when he paid off a £409 debt and bought £1,136 of goods from a Chinese clothing firm.

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And he used the same phone to report thefts from the store he ran on Bestwood Park Drive.

Singarajah carried out three more “unsophisticated” but unauthorised transactions after noting the card details of elderly and infirm customers who used chip and pin to pay him, and were “less likely to pay attention to their bank statements.”

Police discovered the bank details of a retired man who suffers from Parkinson’s Disease on his phone during a search of the store.

And a third victim reported fraud to the Clydesdale and Yorkshire Bank but died before he could make a statement.

Singarajah used his details to buy £8,314 of goods from a Chinese retailer before sending that victim’s information to an unknown third party.

His fourth victim, who was 65 at the time, was the only victim able to provide a statement after discovering payments to another Chinese firm.

The court heard he has four previous convictions for eight offences and received a community order for fraud in August 2012.

Lauren Manuel, mitigating, said: “The offending was suggested by other employees at a time when he was trying to support his father in London and provide for his own family.

“Having been given the idea by others he seized upon it. The others were never apprehended.”

Although the banks refunded his victims a remorseful Singarajah has saved up £3,000 to compensate the banks, Ms Manuel added.

He is unable tell his two children about the prosecution and hasn’t offended since.

Singarajah, aged 40, now of Preston Road, Wembley, London, admitted seven counts of fraud by false representation and four counts of possessing articles used in fraud.

On Thursday, Mr Recorder Collingwood Thompson KC handed him a 28-month sentence, suspended for two years, with a probation requirement and 180 hours of unpaid work. He must pay £1,000 towards prosecution costs.