A fraudster who scammed around £130,000 savings from customers outside Tesco foyers faces prison.

Adahm Sheikh, aged 51, faces a 98-week prison sentence and 150 hours of community services after scamming homeowners who believed they would be refurbishing their kitchens and bathrooms.

The con artist is also facing a £59,354 penalty after more than 40 complaints were received by Trading Standards.

These scams took place at a number of Tesco foyers, particularly around areas in Harrow and Watford, operating under the titles of ‘Amazing Kitchens’ and ‘Home Improvement world’ between 2013 and 2016.

Tesco customers who fell for the scams would transfer money to Mr Sheikh for kitchen and bathroom remodelling yet failed to fully deliver refurbishments or offer any services at all.

In response to complaints, Mr Sheikh was described to have a threatening manner or provided imaginative excuses such as being hit on the head with a cricket bat and dealing with a blood clot.

Lord Toby Harris, Chair of National Trading Standards, said: “Mr Sheikh deliberately defrauded customers out of thousands of pounds and then used intimidating scare tactics to threaten them when they quite rightfully complained.

His actions were reprehensible, and I am pleased that he is now facing the justice he so richly deserves.”

Mr Sheikh also offered to take steps to refund £76,000 to customers following pleading guilty to the offences.