A fraudster who conned 18 victims out of almost £40,000 is on the run after failing to attend Canterbury Crown Court to be sentenced.

A warrant has now been issued for the arrest of rogue trader Raymond Sharpless, who previously pleaded guilty to 15 offences across Kent, Sussex and London of fraud by false representation.

He also admitted two charges of running a company for fraudulent purposes, whose services included plastering, roofing, groundworks and chair restoration.

Sharpless, previously from New Romney, defrauded victims across the South East for 27 months, sometimes under his own name.

But he was also known as Mark Price and operated at least 10 different business names and three separate websites.

• Anyone who knows of his whereabouts should contact Clive Phillips, operations manager, Kent County Council Trading Standards Service on 03000 412020.