An Aberaeron man who fraudulently obtained thousands of pounds has escaped jail after a court heard he was “consumed by debt” following the collapse of his marriage.

Dean Morgan Evans, of 1 Masons Row, pleaded guilty to five counts of fraud by false representation in Cardigan, Aberaeron and Aberystwyth last year.

Aberystwyth magistrates gave the 36-year-old a suspended jail sentence on Wednesday, 20 February.

They were told that Evans was truly remorseful and had made arrangements to pay back the money.

He had “found himself in a hole” after his marriage ended, the court heard.

Evans admitted taking £5,000 from Dale Howard and Albert Maslin on 17 July last year after selling them catering equipment which was never provided.

Evans also admitted defrauding Christopher Howells on 29 October of £2,500 after selling him white goods which were also not provided.

And on Christmas Eve 2018, Evans admitted paying for £130 worth of meat from T Samways Butchers with a cheque when he knew there was no money in the account.

Three days previously he had used the same trick at G T Tyres to walk away with £182.40 worth of tyres.

Read the full story in this week’s Cambrian News, on sale now