Fraudster Plumber Set Up Business Under Name Lee King

A plumber started a business under the false name of Lee King and cheated thousands of pounds on customers.

Damon Owens, 34, used numerous aliases to avoid detection, having previously been convicted of customer fraud.

Owens also wrote fake reviews for his companies operating under names like Cardiff Construction, UK Emergency Plumber, Scarlets Electrical, Emergency Plumbers Bristol and Drain Repair UK.

The scammer operated in Cardiff, Bristol and South Wales and ordered a family in Rumney to pay £ 34,000 for an extension. However, he half quit the job – after leaving a £ 16,875 bail – and the Hulland family had a large hole in their yard that they had to repair with other contractors.

Owens used false names to avoid being discovered. Photo credit: Wales News Service

Speaking to Wales Online, Sam Hulland said: “I really trusted him, he kept me updated and sent me pictures of kitchen designs.

“He knew we were expecting another child and assured us that the work would be completed on time.

“He was always alone on the property, working because he knew we couldn’t live there at the time. He gave me cell phone numbers of people he had worked for, but I could never reach them.

“He even offered to stay on the property overnight because no one else was there, which was just not necessary. He tried to build a friendship.”

Thoughtfully, Mr. Hulland said Owens had “no feelings” towards him and his family.

He added, “I tried to visit the property daily to make sure everything was okay and he kept reassuring us that everything would be okay.

Owens is due to be sentenced in April.  Photo credit: Wales News ServiceOwens is due to be sentenced in April. Photo credit: Wales News Service

“We paid a mortgage on a house we didn’t live in, it was so tough. I felt angry when I saw the work, he had no feelings about us.”

At Cardiff Crown Court, prosecutor Ieuan Bennett said Owens told another client he was shot in the head while serving with the Royal Marines.

Mr Bennett said: “He told her he was on active duty in Bosnia when he was injured. He told her he was shot in the back of the head.”

Owens said the story was true in court and the case was adjourned to allow a review of his military records.

Judge Phillip Harris-Jenkins said, “He is a fraud and I will not take the word of convicted fraudsters.”

Owens admitted to having 13 fraudulent practices and is due to be tried in April.

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