Unemployed man failed to do gardening work after pocketing money

Charles Brazil, 30, asked Zoey Morris for 100 as a deposit on the agreement that he would trim some of her trees.

He also got 250 from Elaine Hayhurst after agreeing he would do similar work in her garden.

Prosecutor Mark Kateley said: "No work was ever carried out at neither address.

"The two victims made repeated calls to the defendant's mobile phone with no success. They lost patience and called the police."

Brazil, of Haig Avenue, Brighton, appeared before Hastings magistrates in court on Friday and pleaded guilty to two charges of fraud by false representation.

He originally denied the charges, dating from October 23 last year and March 8, at an earlier hearing but changed his pleas.

Sam Wingfield, defending, said: "He is very regretful and extremely remorseful over what he had done.

"The defendant had just ended a 15-year relationship with his girlfriend and found it difficult to come to terms with.

"He turned to drink and spent all of his money on alcohol and lost his gardening business.

"The defendant had done work for these two ladies in the past.

"He now has a new girlfriend and is in a much better position. His girlfriend has helped him come off the drink."

Magistrates gave Brazil a 12-month community order in which he must do 60 hours of unpaid work.

He was also ordered to pay 350 in compensation and 80 court costs.