Landscape gardener 'nipped in the bud' after defrauding customers in Suffolk
He left customers £8,000 out of pocket
Last updated 19th Oct 2023
A landscape gardener has admitted to a string of offences after defrauding customers in Suffolk out of at least £8,000.
Darren Moore, 42, of Wimbledon, traded as Darren Moore Garden Landscaping & DIY in the county.
He was first reported to Suffolk Trading Standards last year after a customer complained.
Eight people alleged Moore acted dishonestly by taking payments but never completing the work.
Over £10,800 was paid to Moore, £2,900 of which was later refunded to three customers.
The quality of Moore's work was reported to be substandard, with customers charged excessive amounts.
Moore admitted to carrying out garden landscaping work for a fraudulent purpose at Ipswich Magistrates Court yesterday (May 22). He will be sentenced in July.
Graham Crisp, Head of Suffolk Trading Standards, said:
“The actions of Darren Moore have caused financial loss and significant distress to his victims who placed their trust and good faith in him only to be let down and fed a web of lies about why he was unable to carry out the agreed work.
“Despite making almost £8,000 in ill-gotten gains from defrauding innocent people, Moore has not co-operated with our investigation leaving us with no choice but to seek a conviction due to the severity of his crimes.
“We are very grateful to the wronged consumers who brought his despicable behaviour to light; their bravery has stopped other people in Suffolk from suffering a similar fate at the hands of Moore and will see justice served.”
Councillor Andrew Reid, of Suffolk County Council, said:
“I welcome yesterday’s outcome, which reflects the continued work of our Trading Standards team to help protect customers who are on the receiving end of unsatisfactory services or products.
“We are fortunate to have many legitimate traders in our county who don’t deserve to lose out on business to crooks such as Moore; and I hope that him reaping what he sows following his guilty plea will ensure a fairer playing field for Suffolk’s gardening industry.
“Consumers can also fight back against fraudulent traders by carrying out their research and reading trusted reviews before paying for any services.”