FORMER nightclub boss Jason Ranford has been given a suspended three-month prison sentence for failing to pay more than £3,000 in compensation to victims for historic offences.

District Judge Simon Cooper also ordered Ranford pay back his victims in full, withdrawing a warrant outstanding for his arrest.

Ranford, formerly manager of The Brunel Rooms, appeared at Swindon Magistrates' Court yesterday to answer two counts of fraud, two public order offences and one of criminal damage.

After Ranford admitted the criminal damage last April but denied all other counts, electing summary trial, District Judge Cooper refused to accept the pleas and told him to return tomorrow.

Ranford told the court he believed he had been given permission to use two credit cards to rack up a bill of more than £1,500 on gambling websites.

“That is not at all what you told the police, so we would draw the inference from that you tell one thing to the court and another to the police,” said District Judge Cooper.

Vivian Thatcher, prosecuting, said the fraud spanned a period from January 30 and February 28 on a Halifax and Marks and Spencer card.

“The card holder was informed by various credit card companies there had been some usage on her cards on Bet365.com,” he said.

“The two companies have since returned the money to her account.

“At no point does she say the defendant had been given authority to use the card.”

Formal pleas will be entered again tomorrow after District Judge Cooper refused to set the case for trial.

“This is a complete ignorance of the law,” he said.

“Mr Ranford can believe what Mr Ranford believes, but I will put the matter back until Friday.

“You have no legal defence, and it shows a complete misunderstanding of the law. I am not going to let you waste the court’s time. It is that simple. You should listen to me because I have given you sound advice.”

Ranford was also warned he would go to prison if he does not begin paying off compensation owed.

“To discuss the matter of fines, you have £3,164.11 outstanding in compensation,” added District Judge Cooper.

“The last payment was on April 3, 2014, and there has been no payment since that time. A no bail warrant has been issued for your arrest.

“You have been to prison, but you are in no position to write off those fines. All of those owed money have been asked if they are prepared to have it written off, and they say they want their money.

“I find you are culpably negligent in failing to pay these fines. I commit you to prison for a period of three months. I will suspend that committal with the requirement you start paying.

“I expect a substantial payment from you on Friday, and if you do not you will go to prison.”

Ranford was released on unconditional bail for the fraud, public order and criminal damage matters until tomorrow morning.