Police are hunting a serial conman who swindled two pensioners out of £18,000 after he failed to show up at court.
Daniel Michael Collins was due before a judge at Cardiff Crown Court on Friday to learn his sentence for committing fraud.
The 30-year-old, of Llanishen, Cardiff, has already served two jail terms after defrauding elderly householders in South Wales and Hampshire.
He conned woman, 87, out of life savings
In 2009, he was given a three-year sentence at Cardiff Crown Court and promised he would never do it again.
However, Newport Council’s Trading Standards said Collins has been up to his old tricks again in 2012 and conned a vulnerable 87-year-old woman out of her life savings after claiming to have fixed a crack in her garden wall.
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A council spokesman added: “Another pensioner also parted with £9,000 in cash following a demand from Daniel Michael Collins for paving work carried out at her home.”
At a hearing in June, Collins pleaded guilty to two counts of fraud - and was granted conditional bail ahead of his sentence on July 10.
However, the Cardiff-born fraudster failed to turn up at to Crown Court in the Welsh capital.
Warrant issued for his arrest
After Judge Christopher Llewelyn Jones was told the defendant “had no intention of showing up”, he agreed in issuing an arrest warrant for Collins.
Newport Council cabinet member Bob Poole said Trading Standards were there to protect people from rogue traders and would continue to be “robust” in its approach.
He added: “The actions of Daniel Michael Collins were truly deplorable. His prosecution should send a clear message to those intent praying on vulnerable people that you will be brought to justice and held account for your actions.”
