A fraudster has admitted involvement in two online sales scams that netted about £1.3 million.

Blake Paterson pleaded guilty to two offences of conspiracy to commit fraud between August 1 2013 and August 31 last year and conspiracy to conceal criminal property between March 1 2013 and August 31 last year, the proceeds of criminal conduct.

The 34-year-old was in the dock at Maidstone Crown Court today with others alleged to have been involved in one fraud related to sales of vehicles and another concerning a London joinery firm that lost £279,000.

Reece McCoy, 26, of Railway Road, Sheerness, Carl Carolan, 28, of Queenborough Road, Sheerness, Aaron Irwin, 29, of Brookside, Minster, Sheppey, and Antony Coles, 32, of Station Road, Bagshot, Surrey, all denied both charges.

Paterson also admitted two offences of possessing a specified item - mobile phones - and one of possessing four SIM cards while in Rochester Prison on August 29 2016, and one of possessing a prohibited item capable of transmitting in the prison on October 10 last year.

Judge Martin Huseyin was told Paterson continued to be involved in the fraud while in jail.

Pleas were not entered by Daniel London, 35, Danielle Nye, 23, both of Queensbridge Drive, Herne Bay, Graham Nichols, 49, of Curchin Close, Biggin Hill, Westerham, and Toni Stylianou, 33, of Bexley Road, Erith.

They will enter pleas on December 21. Separate trials will be held on July 15 and September 16 next year.

Paterson was remanded in custody and unconditional bail was continued for the others.