A ROGUE tradesman who conned a vulnerable Powys resident out of £60,000 will be sentenced by a crown court after he admitted two charges in relation to fraud.

Llandrindod Wells Magistrates’ Court heard this week how Leslie James Smith, 26, had embarked on a roofing renovation project at Catherine Payne’s home in Felindre, near Knighton, last year.

Over a three-month period in 2021 Smith repeatedly visited his victim requesting more and more money.

In total, Ms Payne paid him £60,000 – even though an independent valuer later estimated that the work he’d actually carried out should have cost her just £1,500.

Smith admitted recklessly engaging in a commercial practice and a second charge of fraud when he appeared in Llandrindod on Wednesday, September 14. The offences took place between April 8 and July 8, last year.

Smith is set to be sentenced at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court later this month.

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Rob Brown, prosecuting the case on behalf of Powys County Council, said that despite taking £60,000 from Ms Payne, her property still did not have a roof when Smith left.

“The victim paid the defendant £60,000 for work on a roof renovation,” said Mr Brown.

“He visited her on several occasions requesting more money for further works, as well as for material and equipment. He said one time that he needed money to subsidise his workers for other jobs, which is illegal.

“Despite the money provided, the work that was carried out has been valued as being worth £1,500. He has since abandoned the works, leaving the property without a roof.

“The victim had also called out a plumber and he noticed that the work carried out actually blocked the flue, it was incompetent.”

Chair of the bench, Simon Green, told Smith magistrates were sending his case to the crown court for sentence due to the severity of the charges, the amount of money involved and the vulnerability of his victim.

They adjourned the case and Smith is due to appear in Merthyr on September 28. He was granted unconditional bail.