A fraudster has had his sentencing hearing postponed because the court failed to tell him of the hearing.

Alexander Shayler, 32, of Greenway in Maidstone, was due to be sentenced at Wood Green Crown Court this morning for defrauding the grieving son of a former Camden councillor.

He had pleaded guilty to fraud by abuse of position at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court in August.

But the hearing - sitting at Hendon Magistrates’ Court - was aborted when neither the defendant nor any defence counsel turned up.

Recorder Mrs Naomi Hawkes had to delay the sentencing for four weeks. 

“I think, in the circumstances, it’s unfortunate but there’s no alternative,” she said. 

Former Belsize councillor Leila Roy died unexpectedly of a heart condition in 2021. 

Ms Roy had served as a Conservative councillor from 2014 to 2018. 

Shayler helped to set up a fundraising page on the website GoFundMe. 

It said the money would be used to cover expenses generated by her death, with any remaining money to be put into a trust fund for her teenage son Anton.  

Shayler had admitted to a charge saying he was “expected to safeguard, or not act against, the interests of Roche” but “dishonestly abused that position intending to make a gain, namely buying items for yourself including but not limited to alcohol”.

Prosecutor Helen Owen said today (Monday, October 2): “I believe, from initial enquiries, that there is no legal aid order in place or representation for Mr Shayler. 

“It would appear that the defendant was not given a fixed date to attend before the court. 

“I understand that the court did not write to the defendant to notify him of this hearing.”

Mrs Hawkes said the court should write to Shayler with the new date and make clear the need for legal representation, given that he could face a custodial sentence.