A con man was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment yesterday following a series of scams in which he racked up bills of more than$5,000.

Kenneth Kurt Faries, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to three charges of incurring debt by obtaining credit for services by pretending he could pay.

The court heard that the 32-year-old unemployed man incurred a debt of $1,530 from a taxi driver, $3,984.62 for accommodation and telephone use at Fordham Hall Guest House, and $434.84 for accommodation at Harmony Club in Warwick at different dates in April.

Crown counsel Wayne Caines told the court that Faries had hired the taxi driver at a rate of $30 per hour between April 2 and April 19. The driver went to the Police station on May 6 to report that he had received no compensation for his services.

On April 9 Faries checked in at Fordham Hall under the name Colin Powell.

Faries paid for one night but then was given permission to pay for the following nights at a later time. He also booked a suite claiming it was for his boss.

Faries stayed for 11 nights in a room with a rate of $152 per night and nine nights in a suite at the rate of $190 per night. He also had charges of $174 in telephone calls.

Mr. Caines told the court that on April 26 Faries went to the Harmony Club and gave another name. His total bill was $434.84.

Noting Faries' long list of prior convictions, Mr. Caines recommended that he be given a custodial sentence or be sent before the Drugs Court given the man's drug addiction.

However, Magistrate Carlisle Greaves noted that he had been before the courts for 16 similar offences. He also questioned whether the man's actions reflected behaviour resulting from drug use.

"It would appear to me when I listen to you and look at your record that you are trying to con me because I can't see a connection between a drug addicted person and driving around in taxis.

"Explain to me what a drug addict has to do in spending all those nights in Harmony Hall for free? The drug addicts I know don't do that. They sleep on a bench in the park."

Faries pleaded with Mr. Greaves that he wanted to get off drugs and turn his life around. However, playing on his last name, Mr. Greaves said: "You like a good life. He doesn't want to work. He waves his fairy wand every time and people believe him. You have the gift of the gab."

Mr. Greaves considered sending Faries before the Supreme Court to be sentenced but instead handed down a sentence of 12 months on each count, to run concurrently.