AN Ellesmere Port man has pleaded guilty to running a fraudulent gardening business.

Michael Aston, 32, ran the MA Gardening business.

At Chester Crown Court on Friday, June 19, Aston pleaded guilty to participating in fraudulent business carried on by a sole trader.

He admitted that, between January 1, 2017 and October 31, 2018, he was knowingly carrying on of the business, namely MA Gardening, with the intention to defraud creditors of any person or for any other fraudulent purpose.

Specifically, he took money from customers who had been given a false expectation that they would receive gardening services, when there was a significant risk that said services would not be carried out.

Prosecuting, Sarah Morgan said that plea was accepted by the prosecution and the remaining 22 charges, all relating to fraud by false representation, were to lie on file.

A trial was previously listed to begin next week.

Defending, Dafydd Roberts said a pre-sentence report was to be compiled.

Judge Patrick Thompson adjourned the case until the week beginning July 13 for sentencing, with Aston, of Pooltown Road, bailed on the same condition as before, that he does not contact any of the prosecution witnesses.

He told Aston he would receive credit for his guilty plea.