A MANHUNT is under way today for a bogus antiques dealer who duped a frail pensioner.

Lee Smith vanished halfway through his trial at Southampton Crown Court this week - but was convicted in his absence yesterday.

Jurors took nearly two-and-a-half-hours to find the 44-year-old guilty of stealing from stroke victim John Scarborough.

Smith had talked his way into the house before stealing his holiday money and 13 Victorian gold sovereigns.

No explanation was given in open court for Smith's absence and the jury was unaware he was on the run until after they had reached their verdict.

Yesterday prosecutor Tim Moores revealed Smith had previously served four years in prison for stealing jewellery from pensioners in Hampshire and Wales.

The court heard he had 17 convictions for fraud offences and another 20 for thefts.

Judge Harington, who had issued a warrant for Smith's arrest when he failed to appear on Thursday, adjourned sentence until next month.

Smith gained entry to the New Forest home of 85-year-old Mr Scarborough by offering to buy antiques from him. Smith, 44, of Portsmouth, denied taking £540 cash and coins worth around £2,000 from the Blackfield house of the former shop owner.

The incident happened last March - only a week after Mr Scarborough had undergone an operation to have a pacemaker fitted.

Smith introduced himself to Mr Scarborough over the garden hedge and asked if there were any ornaments inside the house for sale.

Mr Scarborough led Smith into the house and showed him some china crockery which the defendant expressed an interest in.

A second uninvited man appeared in the house, describing himself as a friend of Mr Smith, but Mr Scarborough asked him to leave, the court heard. Smith then asked him if he had any gold sovereigns that he could buy as a present for the second man.

Mr Moores said: "Mr Scarborough went to a small floor safe and took out a cardboard packet containing a collection of gold sovereigns. He put it on the table for Mr Smith to look at, but he very quickly answered that he wasn't interested - they were the wrong date.

"But then he saw Mr Smith put his hand in the packet, empty some coins into his hand and then drop them into his pocket."

Smith then took out a brown envelope containing £1,000 and searched it saying he was looking for vintage notes. Mr Scarborough went to shut the safe, but Mr Smith shut it himself, said Mr Moores. Mr Scarborough could not find the key after Smith left.

Smith returned to the house two days later to ask Mr Scarborough if he still wanted to sell him any household items. Mr Scarborough challenged him about the missing cash and coins, and took a record of his number plate.

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