Conman who hired farm machinery from Shropshire firms and then sold it is jailed

Michael Terrence Smith was locked up for three years and eight months for a complicated fraud involving £669,000 of goods, which involved two Shropshire firms.

Smith, 57, of East Avenue in Ruabon, Wrexham, admitted six theft and four fraud charges when he appeared at Mold Crown Court.

Judge Rhys Rowlands said he was guilty of a raft of offences against eight victims – including Charlie's Country Store and Rea Valley Tractors, both of Shrewsbury – over a six-year period.

He said: "You repeatedly stole valuable plant and machinery, which had been leased to you, and you failed to pay for machinery you received. In doing so, you caused significant losses to others."

It was dishonest behaviour by a man with a history of offending.

He had been "plausible" and had been able to deceive others, individuals and small local companies the court was told.

The defendant also dishonestly secured finance with fictitious assets and Judge Rowlands added his actions had not been out of character because he had a record of similar offences.

His most significant conviction had been after a trial in Bristol in August 2004 for conspiracy to defraud when he received a six-year prison sentence, the court heard.

Prosecuting barrister Simon Rogers said the J and E Evans company at Llanbedr, Gwynedd, bought a trailer from the defendant for £5,500.

Smith agreed to hire it back at £600 a month and it was agreed that he could hire other items.

Between July and October 2011 the company bought five trailers and an excavator at a cost of £69,000 and hired them out to him – but they were never seen again.

Rea Valley Tractors based in Shrewsbury was asked by Smith to urgently provide equipment after he said he had suffered a break-in.

Over a period of time goods to the value of £18,200 were provided but his cheques bounced.

Mr Rogers said the defendant obtained finance from Close Brothers Asset against assets, some of which were fictitious. They had lost £392,000.

Defending barrister Peter Moss said his client suffered ill-health, which would make the inevitable prison sentence more difficult to bear.

He added that he had made immediate admissions.