A rogue plumber set himself up under false identities to scam customers – including one called Lee King.
Dodgy Damon Owens, 34, gave himself a string of bogus names after being convicted of tricking customers in his plumbing business.
A court heard one of his plumbing businesses was called UK Emergency Plumber – and set up another under the false name of Lee King.
Prosecutor Ieuan Bennett said: “He was using a false name because he has previous convictions and was trying to reduce the prospect of publicity.”
Fraudster Owens used a number of false business names, identities and addresses to advertise for work across Cardiff, Bristol and South Wales – and would write fake online reviews praising the bogus companies.
The court he set up a host of phoney company names including Cardiff Construction, Scarlets Electrical, Emergency Plumbers Bristol, and Drain Repair UK.
Cardiff Crown Court heard the use of names was a way of trying to hide his previous convictions from customers, and “minimise publicity”.
Owens demanded almost £34,000 to build an extension for the Hulland family – but left the job halfway through after being paid a £16,875 deposit.
The Hullands were left with a huge hole in their garden and had to employ other contractors to finish their refurbishments.
Mr Bennett said Owens told another customer he’d been shot in the back of the head while serving with the Royal Marines.
He said: “He told her he had been on active service in Bosnia when he was injured.
“He told her he had been shot in the back of the head.”
But the court heard Owens stood by his story that he was injured while in the Marines – and a judge adjourned the case for his military record to be checked.
Judge Phillip Harris-Jenkins said: “He is a fraudster and I do not take the word of convicted fraudsters.”
Owens, of Caerphilly, admitted 13 charges of undertaking a deceptive practice.
He will be sentenced in April.