A window fitter from Hayle has narrowly escaped imprisonment after pleading guilty to a series of frauds carried out between July 2013 and August 2014.

In a prosecution case brought by Cornwall Trading Standards, Liam Hawkins, who traded as Profile Windows appeared before magistrates in Truro this week to face 12 charges of fraud.

The court heard that Hawkins took cash deposits and further down-payments from a number of his customers but used the money to settle gambling debts. In some instances the customer thought they were dealing with another company but Hawkins had intercepted the appointment booking so as to pretend to take the order and receive the deposit.

Despite being convicted for a similar offence in February 2014, Hawkins continued the practice until frustrated customers reported the matter to police and Cornwall Trading Standards.

At Truro Magistrates Court last Wednesday, Hawkins admitted all 12 charges and was sentenced to 24 weeks imprisonment, suspended for two years. He was also ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid community service, to repay £968 to three of his victims and to pay £2,900 towards the prosecution costs.

Nigel Strick, from Cornwall Trading Standards, said: “The court recognised that these were very serious offences, involving a breach of trust and repeat victimisation. The penalties imposed by the magistrates reflect the stress and anxiety caused to some of the victims by the string of lies and excuses he used to avoid repaying their money. Liam Hawkins now has to refrain from further offending or he faces certain imprisonment.”