A window cleaner who conned customers in Pewsey was sentenced yesterday after pleading guilty to two counts of theft.

Paul Walker, 37, of Glengarven Close, Lambton, Sunderland, pleaded guilty on May 20 and was sentenced at Salisbury Crown Court yesterday (June 20) to 11 months imprisonment suspended for two years.

Walker, a window cleaner and director of Southern Windows and Guttering Ltd, took more than £2,000 from his customers in Durrington and Pewsey during incidents which began back in 2014, after promising he would carry out work that he never completed.

Known as Michael Hanley to some, he would use various excuses as to why he could not complete the work and failed to refund them the money paid up front.

Det Con Kimberley Weston, of Salisbury CID, said: “Working alongside Trading Standards, we were able to ensure Walker was put before the courts and sentenced for his actions. Local residents trusted him to carry out work on their properties and he completely abused this trust.

“The victims in this case have obviously been distressed and inconvenienced as a result of his actions. Following his guilty plea, Walker reimbursed his victims - four years after the crimes took place.

“We will continue to work with Trading Standards on cases of this nature and will continue to strengthen that partnership in the future to ensure offenders like Walker are brought to justice.”

As well as the suspended sentence, Walker was also issued with a community order which means he must attend a Thinking Skills programme.