An Essex man convicted of fraudulently forging his dead mother’s signature for a Right to Buy application has avoided a jail term.

David Cobbold, 55, of Exeter Close in Great Horkesley appeared at Ipswich Crown Court on Friday for sentencing.

He was found guilty by a unanimous jury verdict of fraud by false representation after he forged his deceased mother’s signature on a Right to Buy form between August 27 and September 18 2015, with the intention of obtaining a home in Rectory Road, Colchester, at a reduced price.

The jury took around two and a half hours to reach the decision.

Sentencing at Ipswich Crown Court today, Cobbold was handed a two year jail sentence, suspended for two years by Judge Martyn Levett.

He was also ordered to pay costs of £2,400 and must carry out 300 hours of unpaid work in the community.