A pensioner has admitted buying insurance for his van without stating he had previous convictions.

John Leslie Davies, 74, of Marl Drive, Llandudno Junction, was fined £300 with £30 costs at Caernarfon crown court.

Recorder Peter Griffiths QC said he would be allowed to keep the van, which the police had seized.

Davies has previous convictions for defrauding old people during property repairs.

He pleaded guilty to making a false statement to obtain insurance last September.

Jo Maxwell, prosecuting, said that when asked the specific question about whether he had convictions in the last five years he had replied “No.” He had six penalty points on his licence.

She said that under the terms of a now expired serious crime prevention order he had been banned from cold-calling at homes.

Simon Killeen, defending, said Davies had panicked when he discovered he wasn’t covered by a garage repairs business with which he’d been involved.

“He’s a pensioner but a workaholic and still does odd jobs to bring in £150 to £E200 a week to supplement his pension. He lives on his own in a caravan at Llandudno Junction after the probation service assisted him.”

Passing sentence the Recorder told Davies he had been foolish “but I do not believe it crosses the custody threshold.”