A CONMAN went on a spending spree using cheques that bounced, a court was told.

Ian Roberts, 28, knew there was no money in a business account he had set up with Barclays Bank, but made out cheques to a total of £6,600.

Many were issued after the account had been closed by the bank.

Roberts, at the time of Parkside, Buckley, admitted a total of 23 deception charges but escaped an immediate prison sentence at Mold Crown Court yesterday.

Roberts was given a 52-week prison sentence suspended for two years and was ordered to do 100 hours of unpaid work for the community.

He was placed on supervision and sent on an enhanced thinking skills course.

Judge Dafydd Hughes told Roberts he accepted he had set out with good intentions and in order to support his family had set up a building business.

He arranged a business account with the bank but it had been made clear he had no overdraft or credit facilities.

The court was told Roberts had built a conservatory and charged more than £4,000.

But the customer was unhappy with the work, he cancelled the cheque, and Roberts was left with no money.

He had bought items from builders’ merchants, plumbing suppliers and others in the Bangor and Portmadoc area with cheques which were never honoured.

He also issued cheques for a meal at an Abersoch restaurant and bought a digital camera, clothes and other items.

Andrew Green, defending, said Roberts had previous convictions but was now working as a labourer to support his wife and son.

He had moved from Buckley to get away from his old associates and was putting his past behind him, the court was told.