A CONFIDENCE trickster played on the good nature of staff at nursery schools across the North-East, a court heard.

Daniel Watson left a trail of unpaid bills for his two children’s schooling at mostly small private nurseries, over a two-and-a-half year period.

Durham Crown Court heard that he portrayed himself as “a man of means” when registering his children at the schools.

But, when fee payments were not met, he “bought time” by fobbing the nurseries off with a string of excuses.

The schools involved felt the children benefited from their education, so continued to allow them to attend, believing Watson’s excuses over the non-payments.

But he would then move them on to another unsuspecting nursery, using a similar approach to have them registered, having failed to pay the previous bills.

Kate Dodds, prosecuting, said the total agreed loss at the seven schools affected amounted to £9,828.

She said several of the nurseries had waiting lists, one 77-strong, so Watson’s actions prevented other potential pupils taking up places.

Miss Dodds told the court: “The defendant and his wife were involved in booking nursery places between 2009 and 2012.

“On several occasions they both turned up to view the nurseries.

“The staff were clear. He appeared a man of means, claiming membership of various professions, including being a financier or a lawyer, saying he owned an Aston Martin, and turning up in different cars.

“The clear suggestion was that this couple was ‘of means’, therefore able to pay their bills.

Judge Christopher Prince intervened, saying: “He’s a con man, a confidence trickster.”

Miss Dodd said, after a complaint was made over his actions, Watson failed to respond to police bail, heading to the Dominican Republic with his wife.

He was arrested on his return in August and has since remained in custody.

Thirty-two-year-old Watson, of Ormonde Street, Sunderland, admitted seven counts of fraud.

Asked by Judge Prince if the police want to speak to his wife, who remains in the Caribbean, Miss Dodds said: “They are not able to do that until they are in a position to speak to her, if she was to return to this country.”

Richard Bloomfield, for Watson, said: “It’s accepted it’s his responsibility. Miss Watson very much trails in his wake.”

Judge Prince said Watson played on the “good nature” of the schools involved, many small businesses, displaying a “despicable” attitude.

As he has spent three months behind bars, Judge Prince imposed a nine-month sentence, suspended for two years, and ordered Watson to perform 200 hours’ unpaid work.