A SERIAL fraudster who duped young fashion start-ups into handing over thousands of pounds in cash - in some cases their life savings - is facing another lengthy jail sentence after he was caught and convicted with the help of The Northern Echo.

Mike Smallman had claimed he was going straight with his business, Newton-Aycliffe based APM Clothing Developments, following his release from jail in 2012 following a conviction for a large education fraud.

But Teesside Crown Court was told that he began to siphon off cash from his increasingly disgruntled customers to pay for a crippling gambling habit which was costing him up to £10,000 a month.

After a four week trial 52-year-old Smallman, of Castle Hill, Richmond, North Yorkshire, was found guilty of running a fraudulent business as a sole trader.

He was also found guilty of five charges of taking out payday loans in the name of his former girlfriend, Iulia Dow, but cleared of stealing and pawning a £1,500 pair of earrings belonging to her along with the theft of 1,500 in US Dollars.

Smallman was warned by Judge Tony Briggs to expect a prison sentence when he returns to court next month.

The Echo shared information with North Yorkshire Police, which investigated Smallman, after uncovering scores of complaints from across the UK and Ireland about his activities.