A DODGY gardener conned his victims out of thousands of pounds for shoddy work and stole around £2,000 from them.

Jake Lee, 26, of Heol Daniel in Llanelli, appeared at Swansea Crown Court charged with 10 offences.

Lee was charged with two offences each of fraud, fraud by failure to disclose information, engaging in unfair commercial practices which were misleading by omission, engaging in unfair commercial practices which contravened the requirements of professional diligence, and theft.

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It was alleged that he defrauded a man and a woman between March 1 and June 6 last year after making false representations that he had completed work worth £9,000 at their Brynamman home.

He was also accused of a similar offence against another man relating to false representations over work valued at £2,400 at his Tycroes home between March 1 and August 30 last year.

Lee claimed to his victims that he was an experienced, competent and professional gardener, failed to provide them with information about their cancellation rights, and failed to provide them with written confirmation of the work being undertaken.

He was alleged to have charged the couple more than a reasonable price for the work, failed to complete the work on either job, and did the work to a poor standard.

Lee was also accused of stealing around £1,250 from the couple, and £850 from the second man.

The defendant admitted each of the engaging in unfair commercial practices which contravened the requirements of professional diligence and theft offences, and denied the remaining charges.

Prosecutor Lee Reynolds said these pleas were acceptable, and a trial would not be sought.

Judge Huw Rees ordered a pre-sentence report to be prepared and granted the defendant bail until his sentencing date of September 20.

“There will be no promises,” Judge Rees warned Lees. “All options are open.”