Mildenhall: On-the-run fraudster farmer arrested

Wayne Parker had been on the run since failing to appear for sentencing in February

A fraudster farmer who hired cars and used a dating site while on the run from police has been arrested.

Wayne Parker, 35, previously of Mildenhall, Suffolk, was convicted of fraud in October after racking up debts of £765,000.

An arrest warrant was issued in February when Parker failed to appear for sentencing at Ipswich Crown Court.

He was stopped by a traffic officer at a service station near Basingstoke, Hampshire, on 31 August.

Parker was brought back to Suffolk and remanded in custody by Ipswich Crown Court on 1 September. His sentencing will now take place on 19 September.

Suffolk Trading Standards said he had hired cars and used a dating website while evading police.

It said Parker had told suppliers he was a livestock owner, which allowed him to start lines of credit with a wide range of companies - including animal suppliers and vets.

It added that he often made no attempt to pay his mounting bills and sent cheques that bounced.