An alleged romance fraudster conned seven women out of nearly £657,000 in a 15 year period, a court heard yesterday.
Marc Cole-Jones, 52, yesterday denied 25 counts of fraud by false representation when he appeared at Chester crown court.
Cole-Jones of Telford, Shropshire, was dressed in a black wax jacket and black crew neck sweater and pleaded not guilty as each count was read to him.
The alleged rom-con scam involved seven different women who handed over amounts of up to £158,000 between 2009 and 2024.
One alleged victim called Kelly Wright is said to have handed over 15 different amounts including one of £158,000 and one of £100,000 in a total of £489,000.
The charges allege that Cole-Jones falsely portrayed himself as a successful businessman who persuaded her to invest £100,000 in a hyperfund.
She also invested in a canal boat which Cole-Jones allegedly sold without her knowledge and made a £75,000 profit.
Cole-Jones also told her that he was investing in an aesthetic clinic and needed machinery for which she handed over £57,000, the prosecution claims.
Marc Cole-Jones, pictured last year, allegedly conned seven women out of nearly £657,000 in a 15 year period, a court heard
She also gave him a total of £158,000 when he falsely claimed he had a large tax bill and further £10,000 when he claimed he needed funds for private heart surgery.
Other alleged frauds involved the buying and selling of vehicles including a campervan.
The charges allege that he told other complainants that he was under threat of violence and needed £20,000 to pay an outstanding debt and also needed £10,000 to pay off an ex partner who was blackmailing him.
Judge Patrick Thompson yesterday fixed a trial date of June 28 2027 with a pre-trial preparation hearing on June 1 next year.
Cole-Jones was granted conditional bail on the grounds that he does not contact any of the seven complainants.