A JUDGE will decide in October whether a so-called serious crime prevention order can be made against convicted fraudster Mike Smallman.

Police want the order in place so that, once released from prison, they can restrict his use of personal and third party bank accounts and involvement with companies.

The Northern Echo understands that police also want the order to prohibit the 52-year-old from gambling in casinos – both real and virtual – and mean he has to notify the authorities if he has any dealings with pawnbrokers.

Smallman, previously of Richmond, North Yorkshire, began a five year jail sentence earlier this month after he was convicted of fraudulently operating clothing firm APM Clothing Developments and using his ex-girlfriend’s identity to take out pay-day loans in her name.

He appeared at Teesside Crown Court on Wednesday (July 20) morning via a video link to Stockton’s Holme House prison while the application for the order was heard.

But prosecutor Liam O’Brien said it was being contested by Smallman and therefore a half-day hearing to determine the outcome was required.

Judge Tony Briggs said any order had to be “proportional, practical, enforceable and precise”.

He said the hearing would take place on October 4.

Smallman was accused in his trial of siphoning off about £100,000 from budding fashion entrepreneurs in order to pay for an expensive gambling habit.

Customers, who in some cases handed over their life savings for clothing orders, were said to have been given “sob stories” about the failure to produce their goods, while the few items that were received were described as “tat”.

The Northern Echo played its part in helping to secure Smallman’s conviction by identifying many of his victims and sharing information with North Yorkshire Police.