A sentencing hearing for a rogue trader who took more than £23,000 for work that was never carried out has been adjourned until later this month.

Before Ipswich Crown Court was Grant Phillips, 44, of Bailey Gardens in Brantham.

He pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to fraudulent trading and was due to be sentenced on Tuesday.

However, the hearing was adjourned until October 29 after Phillips asked for time to get legal representation.

Phillips was investigated by Suffolk Trading Standards after Citizens Advice was contacted by a number of victims, some of whom were elderly, who had commissioned home improvement projects including bathroom facilities.

Phillips took a total of £23,511 from 11 customers between April 2021 and October 2023 under three different names.

During that period, Phillips used company names such as Superdry Plumbing & Drainage, Rhino Plumb and Plumb Fix.

Victims said payments were made to Phillips, formerly of Bath Road in Felixstowe, and the work was not completed or were substandard. 

He also took money for materials which were not provided, were not as ordered or were not suitable.

The losses ranged from £200 to more than £4,000.

According to Suffolk Trading Standards, some were not able to afford to complete the project or have the work re-done for a lengthy period.

One elderly victim found it difficult to trust another trader in her property after working with Phillips.

After Phillips entered his guilty plea, Graham Crisp, head of Suffolk Trading Standards, said: “This was a complex case with some vulnerable victims who have suffered financial loss and have been caused personal stress because of Phillips’ actions.

"These people trusted Phillips and they were let down by him either keeping the money and not doing the work, or by carrying it out poorly.

“It is to their credit that they came forward and reported him so that we were able to take action, which we will do against any individual or business that behaves in this way.”