A trickster who conned small shopkeepers out of cash by offering them cheap cigarettes and alcohol has been jailed.

Lakhvinder Sidhu, 48, of Sipson Way, Sipson, offered bargains to staff at shops in Rickmansworth, Chorleywood, Croxley Green, Watford, Radlett, St Albans and Elstree but did not deliver.

He pleaded guilty to 10 charges of fraud by false representation. He asked for three similar offences which took place between May and October last year to be taken into consideration.

Prosecutor Richard Jones told St Albans Crown Court: “He told the businesses he was closing his off licence and was selling cigarettes and alcohol off cheaply.

“They handed over sums of money - £60 to £100 – but he would never return with the goods.”

Mr Jones said he did not have an off licence and got away in total with £990.

Mr Sidhu had previous convictions for fraud by false representation, having been jailed at Snaresbrook Crown Court for 18 months in February 2014.

The court heard he had been in bad health and has not worked for 15 years.

Judge Jonathan Carroll said: “From start to finish this was a confidence trick.

“The victims were left embarrassed and angry. You have a well-entrenched history of fraudulent behaviour.”

Mr Sidhu was jailed for six months.