Sebastian Timmis: 'Manipulative' dating app fraudster jailed

Sebastian Timmis stole money from women he had met on dating platforms

A "cynical and manipulative" fraudster who stole more than £30,000 from women he met online has been jailed.

Sebastian Timmis, 32, of Marksbury, Somerset, convinced his victims to transfer him money after winning their trust on dating apps and websites.

He stole from 12 women across England between January and July 2022.

Timmis admitted 12 counts of fraud by false representation and was jailed for three years and two months at Taunton Crown Court.

The conman targeted the women while on licence for similar fraud offences which he had been sentenced for a year earlier.

Judge Paul Cook put in place a 10-year serious crime prevention order to prevent Timmis from using dating platforms.

The women he defrauded lived in places including Bristol, Bath, Swindon, Nottingham, Warwickshire, Hertfordshire, Hampshire and Sussex.

PC Rory Everitt, of Avon and Somerset Police, said Timmis used the money to gamble.

"Timmis used dating apps and websites to establish the trust of his victims before claiming to them he needed money urgently," he said.

"He'd pressurise his victims into transferring money to him, promising he would pay them back.

"He would make up time-critical scenarios, including having his wallet stolen, to win sympathy and would then not give the money back."

Judge Cook described Timmis as a "cynical and manipulative" person who "emotionally and serious betrayed" his victims.