A GARDENER who defrauded an 85-year old woman of £80 for work he did not complete has been ordered to undertake 100 hours of community service.

Cornelius Smith, 21, of Barnfield Road, Stourport, admitted obtaining money by deception and was told to pay £60 compensation with £250 costs.

Magistrate Ian Latimer said: "Far too many people are preying on the elderly and vulnerable."

Smith had undertaken to do the job and took the payment, said prosecutor Kerry Moreton. He drove away without doing all the work he had promised.

Smith had not targeted a vulnerable, elderly customer, said his solicitor, Fergus Maxwell. When he quoted for the work he underestimated the size of the job.

He had offered to recompense the customer and remove the rest of the refuse, Mr Maxwell said.