A hot tub scammer would have received a higher sentence if the extent of her crimes were known the first time she appeared in court, Welshpool Magistrates' Court heard.

Yasmin Alice Sides, of High Street, Llanfyllin, admitted 11 charges of fraud by false representation in which nine hot tubs, a games console and a TV were sold and did not exist.

The offences took place in October, November and December 2016. In 2017, Sides was sentenced for similar offences which took place in October 2016 after she admitting fraudulently selling six hot tubs.

On Tuesday, January 29, Sides was again sentenced at Welshpool Magistrates' Court.

Helen Tench, prosecuting, told the court that for one of the charges, the address of the victim of the fraud could not be found, and so compensation could not be given.

Robert Hanratty, defending, told magistrates that the defendant's "life has changed" since she committed the offences.

He said that Sides's boyfriend's family have offered to pay the compensation, the court heard.

The court established that in total, including other cases taken into consideration, under £4,000 was made from the acts of fraud.

In an interview with a probation officer, Sides said that at the time of the offence she was in "a lot of debt", the court heard.

"She was going through a rough patch and didn't have anyone to turn to," the probation officer told the court.

Probation said she was "ashamed and embarrassed" and was upset in interview.

Mr Hanratty, defending, said the crime was "greater than the scale they [the magistrates] thought that it was" when she last appeared in court for similar offences.

Magistrates gave Sides a 12 month community order with 10 rehabilitation activity requirement days "because you have already been punished once".

Les Curley, chair of the bench, said: "If this would have come to light at that time you would have got a higher sentence then."

Sides was ordered to pay £1890 in compensation for 10 of the 11 charges as well as £85 in court charges and £85 in victim surcharge.