A CONMAN who took tens of thousands of pounds from a professional woman he met online has been ordered to pay back £1.

Shaun Anthony Verner met the woman on a dating website, in January 2016, and spun a series of lies to impress her, including that he ran a successful stage lighting company with international clients such as Barry Manilow.

Earlier this year, a hearing at Durham Crown Court heard Verner, then of St Oswald’s Bungalows, Thornley, went on to trick her into investing £28,000 in non-existent property, loaning him £12,000, allowing him control of her finances and paying for expensive trips abroad.

He admitted six fraud charges and given a 54-month prison sentence.

Read more: Conman claimed international clients included Barry Manilow

Today, a proceeds of crime hearing at the same court heard that Verner had benefitted to the sum of £72,911.77 as a result of his crimes but no longer had any assets to his name.

Judge Ray Singh ordered him to pay a nominal £1 within 28 days or serve an extra 28 days in prison.

Judge Singh said: "Whilst £1 has been ordered, if it comes to the attention of authorities that you do have assets or obtain assets in the future they can always come forward and claim those assets."

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