Michael Fennell, 60, conned David McGowan, 62, out of £3,250 on 13 September 2019.

Fennell claimed the cash was to buy equipment for the job at Mr McGowan’s home in Glasgow’s Drumchapel.

Instead, Fennell ignored Mr McGowan whose wife later spotted a story about the gardener in a newspaper.

Fennell, of Crosslee, pled guilty in 2021 to five fraud charges for work he did not carry out.

Michael Fennell accumulated £10,005 between April 2018 and December 2019. His frauds spanned the west of the country with five victims living in Glasgow as well as Inverclyde, East Renfrewshire, and South Lanarkshire.

Fennell’s victims included a 61-year-old retiree and a mum and dad with two young children. He was fined £3,125 and tagged for 90 days.

Fennell pled guilty at Glasgow Sheriff Court to his latest charge of fraud against Mr McGowan. The court heard that Mr McGowan contacted Fennell on the website Ratedpeople.com to do gardening work.

Fennell attended and agreed on a quote with Mr McGowan of £6,000. He messaged Mr McGowan later that night and asked for 25% to buy equipment totalling £1,500.

Mr McGowan sent the cash by bank transfer and was assured that the equipment was being ordered.

The victim heard nothing from Fennell for a month until he was asked for a further £1,750 for equipment which he then paid.

Mr McGowan tried to contact Fennell by email but was ignored. Prosecutor Leo McGinn said: “Mr McGowan’s wife Maureen recognised Fennell from a newspaper report of similar incidents and identified him.”

Fennell was then reported to the police. The sentence was deferred pending background reports by Sheriff Louise Arrol KC until December. Fennell was granted bail meantime.