A MAN has received a jail sentence for taking more than £2,000 from his customers.

Paul Walker, 37, of Glengarven Close, Lambton, Sunderland, was sentenced at Salisbury Crown Court yesterday, as a result of incidents where he would take money from clients without completing the promised job.

Walker, who pleaded guilty, was a window cleaner and director of Southern Windows and Guttering Ltd, and began carrying out the thefts in 2014, in Durrington and Pewsey.

Known as Michael Hanley to some, he would use various excuses as to why he could not complete the work and failed to refund the money paid up front.

Walker was sentenced to 11 months imprisonment, suspended for two years.

As well as the suspended sentence, Walker was also issued with a community order, meaning he must attend a Thinking Skills programme.

Det Con Kimberley Weston, of Salisbury CID, said: “Working alongside Trading Standards, we were able to ensure Walker was put before the courts and sentenced for his actions.

"Local residents trusted him to carry out work on their properties and he completely abused this trust.

“The victims in this case have obviously been distressed and inconvenienced as a result of his actions. Following his guilty plea, Walker reimbursed his victims - four years after the crimes took place.

“We will continue to work with Trading Standards on cases of this nature and will continue to strengthen that partnership in the future to ensure offenders like Walker are brought to justice.”