EFFORTS are being made to confiscate funds owed in compensation by a fraudster twice convicted of conning elderly victims out of large sums of cash going back more than a decade.

Sukhpaje Singh Rhatore, 54, has convictions for fraud and theft from Durham Crown Court, in 2010, and Teesside Crown Court in 2016.

In the first case he received a suspended prison sentence, for fleecing savings from householders in their 80s, in Murton, County Durham, and Penrith, Cumbria, but he was subsequently jailed after further similar activity, targeting victims in villages near Yarm and Thirsk.

More than eight years since his initial conviction, Rhatore was back before Durham Crown Court under Proceeds of Crime Act procedure.

Shaun Dryden, for the Crown, said proceedings were activated as the value of his home, in Wellbrook Close, Ingleby Barwick, is considered to be much higher than at the time of the original conviction, when it was in negative equity.

Mr Dryden said it was estimated it could net an available sum of a little more than £50,000, which almost meets the estimated amount of his benefit from his crimes.

Adrian Harris, for Rhatore, said that figure would be contested.

The case was adjourned and the defendant was bailed to return for the contested hearing at the court, on Thursday March 28.