A conman is facing a prison sentence after admitting swindling an 88 year old pensioner out of thousands of pounds.

Andrew Martin, 31, of Longfield Road, Dover, initially denied theft and fraud when he appeared at Canterbury Crown Court.

But after more discussions with his lawyer, the 31 year old changed his plea to guilty to two theft charges, including a credit card in September this year and £900 between December 2014 and January last year, as well as a £2,529 fraud.

The court heard how Martin befriended the pensioner after previously mending her roof, but later scammed her out of money by tricking her.

He was caught on CCTV taking her bank card from her home in Church Lane, Ripple.

Sentence was adjourned for two weeks for him to get his affairs in order and he was given bail after being ordered to surrender his passport, stay at his home between 7pm and 5am every day and report to Dover police three times a week.

Judge James O'Mahony told Martin, who sat with his head in his hands for part of the hearing: "Custody is inevitable".

Defence lawyer Phil Rowley told Canterbury Crown Court Martin had health problems and was undergoing tests for cancer.

Three years ago, Martin was jailed for two years after admitting 12 frauds and asking for a further 12 to be taken into consideration.

The court heard how he was one of a professional gang which targeted extremely vulnerable pensioners in Deal.

After conning them out of cash, Martin went on a spending spree, blowing the money on cars, hotel stays, fuel - and even sending two bouquets to a barmaid.

At least five victims – including an 83-year-old man and a 78-year-old Alzheimer’s sufferer from the town – lost more than £20,000.

Prosecutor Donna East told a judge: “All the victims were retired and more than £20,000 has been lost.”

Corrupt carpenter Martin, then 27, was living in Curzon Close. He was caught because he had used his real details when he sent the love tokens to the pub.