Business ban for eBay shed fraud

The court heard Mack charged up to £800 a time

A man who offered sheds for sale on an an internet auction site but conned people out of thousands of pounds has banned from setting up a new business.

Philip Mack, 40, from Rhyl, Denbighshire, charged up to £800 a time for timber sheds advertised on eBay, but the items were never delivered.

He admitted five fraud charges and asked for eight more to be considered.

His solicitor told magistrates at Prestatyn that Mack had "very poor business acumen."

They sentenced him to 250 hours of unpaid community work, and banned him from setting up any new business for three years.

Prosecutor Tracey Willingham told the court how five customers lost a total of £3,271, while eight others had paid £7,499.

Alex Fitzgerald, defending, said the business was initially legitimate, but Mack had "a very poor business acumen".

He ended up losing £160 in courier's fees on each delivery.

Mr Fitzgerald added: "The orders kept coming in but he couldn't fulfil them."

Mack, now a taxi driver was ordered to pay the customers a total of £6,244 compensation.