A bogus lawyer from Kent dubbed the Devil's Advocate for defending "unwinnable and unpopular causes" has today been found guilty of duping clients out of almost £1million.

Giovanni Di Stefano, 57, represented notorious criminals including road-rage killer Kenneth Noye, timeshare fraudster John "Goldfinger" Palmer and property tycoon Nicholas Van Hoogstraten.

The Italian national, of North Stream, Marshside, near Herne Bay, bragged of meetings with Osama Bin Laden and Robert Mugabe – and once acted as a "counsel of record" for Serbian warlord Arkan.

In a boastful 2004 TV documentary, the former Dundee United FC director said mass murderer Harold Shipman’s conviction was "absolutely outrageous" and suggested he would represent Adolf Hitler and the Devil if he could.

Di Stefano (pictured right) gave himself the title of "avvocato" and pretended to be a qualified lawyer despite only having an honorary degree from the University of Belgrade.

He is now facing years behind bars after a jury at Southwark Crown Court found him guilty of 25 offences of deception, fraud, money laundering and forgery between 2004 and 2012.

Di Stefano shook his head sadly as the damning verdicts were announced by the jury of four men and eight women after four hours and 10 minutes.

it's not and never will be the last of me, today was a loss but, there is always tomorrow! there will be a statement tomorrow. god bless

— giovanni di stefano (@devilsadvokat) march 27, 2013

The two month trial heard how Di Stefano had associated himself with some of the world’s most evil men.

He admitted in evidence he was not a qualified lawyer, but said he only realised this "in hindsight".

"During that period, and even today, I honestly believe that I can advise and provide legal services to anyone that seeks my assistance," he said

Di Stefano was remanded in custody ahead of sentencing tomorrow.