A homeless estate agent fled Britain and left landlords and tenants thousands of pounds out of pocket.

Manish Manek, 54, was collared by detectives as he tried to re-enter the UK last autumn and was jailed for 20 months at Kingston Crown Court yesterday.

He owned the Je Je Barons agency, based in Kingston Hill, from 2008 to 2012. But after he told staff in October 2012 he was going into hospital for liver surgery, he disappeared and wages went unpaid. Creditors also complained to police that Manek had not paid them back.

Surrey Comet:

Je Je Barons in Kingston Hill

In reality, the crook - who denied 17 counts of theft but was found guilty after a trial - had sold his house and flown to India, leaving £18,500 owed to staff and creditors.

Detectives also discovered he had stolen more than £47,000 from clients by slipping landlords' and tenants' deposits, and even rent payments, into his personal bank account instead of using the Government-approved deposit protection scheme.

Detective Constable Paul Lawlor, from Kingston CID, said: "Manek stole from the very people who were paying him to manage their properties and keep his business running.

"He blamed his criminal activities on his huge debt, his ill health and the health of family members. Regardless what his personal circumstance may have been, it does not justify resorting to criminal activities thinking it is an easy route out.

"Because of his actions, Manek is not only serving a custodial sentence in jail but has also lost the reputation he once had within his community."

The Surrey Comet reported in October 2012 that a message had been left in the Je Je Barons shop window that read: "There have been many allegations made, which have been investigated by Kingston CID and proven false and our solicitors are currently dealing with the matter.

"All staff have been dismissed in this context due to improper behaviour and dishonesty."

Manek's solicitors at the time, Aston Bond, told the Comet they were acting for him, trading as Je Je Barons, in relation to a claim for damages against former staff for serious breaches.