‘Real-life Basil Fawlty’ who starred in reality TV show ‘goes on the run after stealing £13,500 from holiday camp’
Former hotel worker Christian Taylor, 50, is now the subject of a nationwide manhunt
A REAL-LIFE Basil Fawlty - who starred in a reality television show - has gone on the run after stealing £13,500 from a holiday camp.
He was found guilty of theft in his absence and a warrant has now been issued for his arrest.
The defendant found fame under his previous name of Christian Scott-Lee in the fly-on-the-wall Channel 4 series The Hotel, filmed at the Grosvenor in Torquay, Devon.
His antics made him one of the stars of the show and saw him compared to the legendary John Cleese character - until he flounced out of his role as deputy manager in a dramatic scene caught on camera.
Taylor, 50, now living and working in Hampshire, denied theft but was found guilty after being tried in his absence.
Judge Erik Salomonsen adjourned sentence to give the police a chance to track down the crook.
The further refunds included fictitious rounds of drinks Tequila Sunrises, Jaffa Cakes, Blue Lagoons and Fishbowls.
Taylor initially claimed he had been framed but there were a total of 66 fraudulent transactions, of which more than 60 were made under Taylor's computer log in. All of the transactions occurred when he was on duty - and 16 were even caught on CCTV.