I have JUST been notified of the latest news on our ';friend':
To view a photo of him go to the following link:...copy and paste it....
http://www.thisissussex.co.uk/Jail-conman-stole-pound-46k-collectors/story-18470118-detail/story.html#axzz2PZVKY600
A CONMAN who is believed to have defrauded at least 110 people interested in specialist collectables to gain more than £46,000 has been jailed for four years.
Robin Butler, from Eddington Hill, Broadfield, pleaded guilty to 22 counts of fraud by false representation at Lewes Crown Court last Thursday (March 14).
LOCKED UP: Robin Butler conned at least 110 people out of money
At the hearing the father-of-three asked for 92 similar offences to be taken into consideration.
The 39-year-old carried out his crimes throughout 2012 and up until February this year.
Valid until: Sunday, June 30 2013
He was finally caught after being found by police hiding under a bed at his home.
Mary Woolford, prosecuting, said: "So far 110 victims in Sussex have been identified. However, the total value (defrauded) is believed to be £70,000 because police are yet to identify all those who have lost out to Butler."
The con artist found his victims by scouring the internet and specialist trade magazines for wanted ads or collectors' forums.
Victims would be seeking specialist and rare motoring parts, fishing equipment or military and nautical collectables.
Butler claimed to have the item they wanted and persuaded them to transfer money to his account up front.
The items then never arrived.
Ms Woolford said: "He looks for people wanting to buy rare pieces they cannot find quickly.
"Butler answers the adverts saying he has what they need. They then agree a price but he says he wants payment in advance.
"If any victims contacted him about the missing items he would claim to be having courier difficulties so they would agree to pay extra money.
Ranjeet Dulay, representing Butler, said her client felt he had no choice but to turn to crime as he was struggling to repay a loan.
Ms Dulay said: "He took out a loan at the end of 2011 to pay for Christmas presents and things around the home.
"The loan was not from the bank but from an individual and he was struggling to meet the weekly repayment of £100.
"He simply could not find a legitimate way to pay back the money and was put under stress by the individual, including threats.
"At one point he had a knife held to his neck. He feared for not only himself but his family.
"He appreciates it was his own doing and his own fault but being arrested in front of his children affected them. One of his sons did not speak for four days afterwards."
When sentencing, Judge Michael Lawson QC commented on the fact Butler had previous convictions stretching back to 1986.
He said: "Providing guilty pleas is often the case for fraudsters who calculate how they can best get out of a position they got themselves into.
"There is nothing that can be said for you. You have chosen a life of crime and have a history of dishonesty."
After sentencing, Detective Sergeant Matt Wilson said that many of Butler's victims were elderly and hard-up.
A proceeds of crime hearing has been set for June 28 at Lewes Crown Court, to try and claim back some of the victims' money.
Read more: http://www.thisissussex.co.uk/Jail-conman-stole-pound-46k-collectors/story-18470118-detail/story.html#ixzz2WUuTgvk8
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