A FRAUDSTER who conned Wiltshire customers out of hundreds of pounds celebrated his daughter’s birthday - from a Swindon dock.

Swansea man Roger Guest was convicted in his absence at Swindon Magistrates’ Court last year of five counts of fraud.

The 47-year-old, of The Grove, Uplands, had been paid £955 by four customers, promising to carry out home improvement works at properties in Melksham, Trowbridge and Swindon. But he never returned to finish the jobs.

Guest did not turn up for his trial last November and, five months later, was picked up by Welsh police and hauled before Swindon magistrates.

Defending, Jonathan Lewis said his client was “rather disappointed” to find himself in the dock: “It’s his daughter’s 13th birthday today. He hasn’t been able to tell her why he’s away.”

Magistrates heard Guest had also struggled with poor mental health, which Mr Lewis suggested was inextricably linked to the reason why he had previously failed to appear before the court.

Guest was bailed for sentencing at Swansea Magistrates’ Court on April 26.