An internet fraudster stole more than £1 million as he tricked about 200 people into handing over their cash through a used car sales scam.

Westerham crook Blake Paterson deceived his victims into paying fake online traders for vehicles - which were never sent to them in return.

A joint investigation carried out by police in Kent and Essex tied the 36-year-old to multiple websites created between 2013 and 2017 that were linked to 44 bogus car businesses.

Visitors to the pages - which were filled with fake reviews - would receive details including refund guarantees and discounts for prompt commitment, before transferring money to a number of bank accounts.

Paterson, of Curchin Close, was caught on CCTV topping up a mobile phone linked to the fraudulent websites.

While the investigation was being conducted, he was jailed for an unrelated offence and in August 2016 a search of his cell revealed evidence he was continuing to run the fraud from prison.

DCI Patrick Milford said: "Paterson devised and orchestrated scams which were deliberately designed to steal as much money as possible from members of the public.

"His attempts to continue criminal activities from his prison cell are further evidence of his contempt for the law, as well as for his multiple victims, some of whom would no doubt have suffered great hardship as a result."

The investigation also showed that Paterson had scammed a large kitchen supplier out of £280,000.

He had set up 24 fraudulent trade accounts with the firm and, between January 2015 and February 2017, they were used to order goods that were never paid for, despite being collected.

After pleading guilty to two counts of conspiracy to commit fraud and one of money laundering, Paterson was sentenced yesterday to seven-and-a-half years in jail.

Three accomplices related to the car sales fraud pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit fraud and money laundering. They were sentenced on the same day.

Among them, Sheerness 28-year-old Reece McCoy, of Orchard Grove, was jailed for two years and four months, while 30-year-old Carl Carolan, The Broadway in Minster, Sheerness, received a suspended sentence.

Four others were sentenced on December 17 in connection with defrauding the kitchen company.

Daniel London, from Queensbridge Drive in Herne Bay, was found guilty of conspiracy to commit fraud. The 37-year-old was sentenced to three year and three months.

Herne Bay 23-year-old Danielle Nye, also from Queensbridge Drive, was handed a suspended sentence and ordered to complete 160 hours’ unpaid work along with Graham Nichols, 51, from Curchin Close in Westerham.

And 35-year-old Toni Stylianou, of Coleman Road in Belvedere, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit fraud.

She received a suspended sentence and will have to carry out 120 hours’ unpaid work.

DCI Milford added: "These were two very complex investigations, which demonstrate Kent Police’s commitment to tackling fraud in all its forms.

"We will now use powers under The Proceeds of Crime Act, with the aim of clawing back any benefits these criminals may have gained from their activities."

To read more of our in depth coverage of all of the major trials coming out of crown and magistrates' courts across the county, click here.

To get the latest updates in ongoing cases, police appeals and criminals put behind bars, click here.

For information on how we can report on court proceedings, click here.

Read more: All the latest news from Sevenoaks