A conman has been sentenced after posing as a professional bathroom fitter and defrauding customers out of thousands of pounds to fund a gambling habit.
Liam John Harbottle, of Aiskew near Bedale, pleaded with customers for advance payments, saying he was desperate to pay his bills, but failed to complete the work, police said.
The 41-year-old, who admitted fraud by false representation and theft, was given a two-year prison sentence, suspended for two years, at York Crown Court on Thursday.
He was also ordered to repay his victims a total of £19,231 and carry out 180 hours of unpaid work.