A CONMAN who tricked people into giving him money for petrol after claiming to have broken down has been jailed for 14 months.

Peter Spiteri committed more than 70 crimes and a 20-month police investigation was carried out before he was brought to justice.

The 32-year-old was handed the jail term at Bournemouth Crown Court after admitting a series of offences and breaching a Criminal Behaviour Order.

The court heard he changed his appearance and used a variety of stories to convince generous members of the public he needed help.

Spiteri was given an 18-month Community Order and a two-year Criminal Behaviour Order at Bournemouth Magistrates’ Court on Friday June 5 for a number of offences related to fraud by false representation.

On the same day he left the court and immediately carried on offending by duping shoppers. In total he carried out more than 70 offences.

He was arrested again on Wednesday July 22.

The investigating officer worked in collaboration with other officers and Poole and Bournemouth councils. Two Community Protection Notices against Spiteri were put in place to attempt to prevent any further scams but he continued to commit offences.

Speaking after the hearing, Police Constable Lisa Harrison, of Kinson South Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: "Peter Spiteri showed total disregard for the Criminal Behaviour Order he was issued with by leaving the court room and targeting more innocent shoppers.

“I hope the sentence handed out by the court brings some reassurance to the local communities that they can rely on Dorset Police to take action against such a prolific offender.

"Once again I would like to thank all the victims who came forward and reported these matters to us as without them, more victims would have been targeted."