A fraudster took more than £20,000 from a woman after claiming he needed help paying medical bills, council tax and a mortgage.

Christopher Harris, aged 40, from Woodmer Close, Shillington, has admitted one count of fraud by false representation which took place in the Baldock area between May 23 and August 21, 2021.

At a hearing on December 14, 2022, prosecutor Cassandra Roberts told magistrates in Stevenage that Harris met his victim on a dating website in late 2020.

Harris told her he had long-term health problems and that he needed £450 to "go private" to receive "proper care".

The victim handed the money over on the promise he would settle up at a later date.

By the end of their relationship, the victim had loaned Harris £20,810.

Ms Roberts said investigators made production orders to HSBC and Barclays to view the contents of the fraudster's bank accounts, and the Crown Prosecution Service had come to the conclusion Harris pocketed the cash for himself.

"There were no payments made from the defendant to medical institutions, to medical companies, mortgage companies, local councils, insurance companies or water companies," Ms Roberts said.

Magistrates heard Harris has 16 previous convictions for more than 25 offences, including nine fraud-related cases.

Tariq Iqbal, appearing on behalf of Harris, said the Crown Prosecution Service had not shared the correct paperwork with the defence before the hearing.

He accepted magistrates may not have the power to hand Harris an appropriate sentence.

Magistrates granted Harris, of Woodmer Drive in Shillington, Bedfordshire, unconditional bail.

He must appear at St Albans Crown Court in the morning of Friday, January 13 for sentencing.