A CONMAN who pocketed almost £8,000 from prospective tenants then went on the run for more than four months has been arrested by police.

Martin Thew, 47, of Lemonford Caravan Park in Newton Abbot, was arrested just after midnight on Tuesday.

Thew admitted the 10 counts of fraud after he cashed in deposits from 10 tenants between July and October last year netting £8,305 when he appeared for the first time before Torbay magistrates last October. He was due to attend court in March for sentencing but did not turn up and an arrest warrant was issued.

Officers, including graduate PC Craig Francis, arrested Thew at his caravan park home.

Det Con John Croft praised PC Francis and his tutor PC Chris Webber for the arrest which came after information was supplied to Crimestoppers.

DC Croft said: "It is a positive outcome because I have 10 victims who want to see justice served. I think the new PC did a great job and it's very important to recognise that."

The court had heard Thew had rented a five-bedroom house in Hele, Torquay, from property managers then advertised it for let.

The cheques made out to Thew had been paid into bank accounts.

He tried to gain breathing space by telling tenants who were about to move in that his children were sick or had died.

He also pleaded guilty to one charge of theft of post at a previous hearing on October 23 last year.

He absconded in March after sending a text message to his solicitor saying he could not attend Torquay Magistrates Court due to a serious heart problem.

Thew is now in police custody and police say he will be sentenced for the frauds on Friday July 24 at Exeter Crown Court.