A FRAUDSTER has been given a community order after trying to con retailers out of more than £4,000.

Leon Phillips, 32, of Bedstone Road, Oakridge, pleaded guilty to two counts of fraud at Basingstoke Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, 16 January.

Phillips attempted to twice get refunds by sending back to retailers fake goods.

Firstly, on January 11, 2017 he purchased a Rolex watch but sent back a fake one and asked for a refund, intending to make a gain of £3,999.

Then three weeks later he attempted the same trick, but this time with a Samsung Galaxy phone in an attempt to gain £569.

Magistrates’ gave Phillips a community order and ordered him to pay a total of £1,500 in compensation.