A supposed landscape gardener who ripped off nine clients by taking deposits and failing to complete work has been jailed.
Dean Horseman advertised as DH Landscaping on social media site Facebook, Bristol Crown Court heard.
Time and time again he took money up front from customers in Bristol hoping to have their gardens revamped but didn’t do the job.
READ MORE:Trial set for alleged concert ticket fraudster
Horseman, 38, of Lawrence Hill, pleaded guilty to nine charges of fraud by misrepresentation between March and July 2018.
The recorder Mr Sellick jailed him for two years.
He told Horseman: “These offences were mean.
“They were nasty. They were horrid.
“There were nine frauds in three months.
“That can only be dealt with by an immediate custodial sentence.”
After the hearing one victim told Bristol Live: “I’m really pleased with the sentence.
“It shows how the judge clearly took it seriously.”
Another said: “This affected our families.
“I’m just pleased he’s been taken out of society for a period of time.”
Both thanked police for their tenacious work in the case.
Manla Ndlovu, prosecuting, said: “The offences follow a similar path.
“Complainants responded to advertisements for garden services on Facebook.
“The defendant and another attended.
“They were provided with a quote for garden services and work was agreed.
“The defendant and another requested payment up front for materials.”
Mr Ndlovu said, however, that work was either partially carried out, not carried out to a satisfactory standard or not completed at all.
Horseman accepted that he and his accomplice – who has yet to be prosecuted – benefited to the tune of £14,357.
One victim made a statement saying she had to get loans from her family to pay Horseman and was left demoralised, upset and anxious, when he failed to deliver the work.
Gregory Gordon, defending, said his client had set out to do a good job with the business.
But Mr Gordon told the court: “Mr Horseman has been frank in the pre-sentence report about his drug use and alcohol consumption.
“That was a long-term issue for him at the time.
“He has struggled with cocaine use since he was 25.
“The other male had his own difficulties with alcohol.
“They were in no fit state to be working in the work they were doing.”
Mr Gordon said his “genuinely remorseful” client had since stopped taking cocaine and cut down on drink.
Horseman had a new partner, his own flat and was looking for work, the court heard.
Want our best stories with fewer ads and alerts when the biggest news stories drop? Download our app on iPhone or Android.