Walsall conman stole cash deposits after promises of work

Raymond Bullock conned four residents in the Caldmore area of Walsall over four days earlier this month.

Mrs Maggie Meakin, prosecuting at Walsall Magistrates Court, said householders had handed over deposits of between £20 and £100 each time for work they believed the 60-year-old had committed to carrying out at a later date.

She told the court: "The four offences took place between July 1 and 4.

"Bullock had attended three addresses in Tasker Street and one address in Wednesbury Road.

"He gave the householders quotes on landscaping and gardening work and took deposits of between £20 and £100. He did not return to complete the work as agreed."

The court heard Bullock was later arrested in the Liverpool area and was brought back to Bloxwich police station, where he fully admitted the scam to officers.

Mrs Meakin said: "He stated in interview he was never intending to complete the work. He has an injury to his leg from an accident which prevents him from working."

She told the court that there had been a 'degree of planning' by Bullock and that he had been acting alone.

Mrs Meakin said none of the householders who was duped in the scam was believed to be elderly.

During yesterday's hearing, Bullock, of Argyll Road, Stoke-on-Trent, admitted four charges of making a false representation between July 1 and 4.

In mitigation for Bullock, Mr Wykeham Garsia said he had fully admitted all the offences to police.

He said Bullock had previously worked for a company in London.

He added: "Things were going quite well for him, but the firm went into liquidation.

"He lost everything."

Mr Garsia told the court that Bullock suffered from depression and had attempted to commit suicide in the past.

The case was adjourned for reports to be prepared.

Bullock is due to come back to Walsall Magistrates Court to learn his fate on August 20. He was given conditional bail until the hearing.