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To cut a long story short, somebody I considered to be a very good and trusted friend and work mate has disappeared off the planet owing me money after his dubious past came to light.
My main issue is I had helped out this friend by lending him £2k when he fell on difficult times regarding rent. I had no concerns whatsoever lending the money and confidently expected it to be paid back in instalments within a few months. But it was after this the problems started.
Our employer had requested all staff provide a DBS check. Didn't think anything of it. But then one day, soon after the employer’s request, my friend didn't show up for work. We subsequently discovered he was on the sex offenders list and had a conviction for making and distributing photos of naked children. This came as a complete shock to everyone and I'm still in a state of disbelief nearly a month on.
At this point my friend wasn't aware we'd discovered his past. He'd just gone AWOL. But I then discovered he had phone-blocked me and everyone else at work and blocked everyone on all social media. I also discovered he'd disappeared from his rented property in town.
I want to track him down and get my money back but am I wasting my time? As far as I know he has no assets (property, car etc).
For me, I'm not bothered about how much I spend on solicitors and court fees. It’s the principal that counts and how disgusted I am not only by his conviction but also by the way he thinks I’ll forget about the money and he won't have to pay me back if he runs away and hides.
I have an address for two family members and was thinking about writing to them in a polite manner requesting help getting the money back followed up a month or so later by a solicitor's letter if I haven’t heard anything.
I know there's a lesson to be learnt here (trust nobody and don't lend money) but this whole thing has left a huge trial of destruction both emotionally at home and physically at work by dropping us all in it when all staff were needed at a very crucial time.
Any advice would be very much appreciated.
My main issue is I had helped out this friend by lending him £2k when he fell on difficult times regarding rent. I had no concerns whatsoever lending the money and confidently expected it to be paid back in instalments within a few months. But it was after this the problems started.
Our employer had requested all staff provide a DBS check. Didn't think anything of it. But then one day, soon after the employer’s request, my friend didn't show up for work. We subsequently discovered he was on the sex offenders list and had a conviction for making and distributing photos of naked children. This came as a complete shock to everyone and I'm still in a state of disbelief nearly a month on.
At this point my friend wasn't aware we'd discovered his past. He'd just gone AWOL. But I then discovered he had phone-blocked me and everyone else at work and blocked everyone on all social media. I also discovered he'd disappeared from his rented property in town.
I want to track him down and get my money back but am I wasting my time? As far as I know he has no assets (property, car etc).
For me, I'm not bothered about how much I spend on solicitors and court fees. It’s the principal that counts and how disgusted I am not only by his conviction but also by the way he thinks I’ll forget about the money and he won't have to pay me back if he runs away and hides.
I have an address for two family members and was thinking about writing to them in a polite manner requesting help getting the money back followed up a month or so later by a solicitor's letter if I haven’t heard anything.
I know there's a lesson to be learnt here (trust nobody and don't lend money) but this whole thing has left a huge trial of destruction both emotionally at home and physically at work by dropping us all in it when all staff were needed at a very crucial time.
Any advice would be very much appreciated.
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