A rogue trader who went on the run and dodged justice for three months after admitting de-frauding victims has been arrested.

Raymond Sharpless, 45, from Romney Marsh conned 18 people out of almost £40,000 but vanished last November after failing to show up at Canterbury Crown Court to be sentenced.

He had 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.

An arrest warrant was issued and yesterday a public appeal to find him resulted in his arrest.

Today he appeared before Judge Heather Norton and was given a two week jail term for breaching bail and is due to be sentenced next month for the frauds.