A FRAUDSTER who swindled £650,000 from the taxpayer had his sentencing pushed back after he broke his ankle.

Keith Conner was due to be sent down at Reading Crown Court on Friday, February 3 after he admitted five charges of fraud and cheating public revenue on January 25, 2016.

The 55-year-old former company director from Ascot also defrauded HMRC of £150,000 after admitting tax evasion charges at the same court.

“He is entirely bed bound at the moment and is unable to put any pressure on his leg, that is going to continue for the next few weeks,” said defending, Adam Butler.

“After six weeks he will then be able to start his physiotherapy.”

Conner’s wife Joanne also faced charges, but the prosecution offered no evidence against her when the pair appeared before a judge.

“I am afraid that we do not operate in a situation where people only come to court when they are on top form,” said judge Paul Dugdale.

“The court has to sentence a lot of people who are unwell.

“My experiences over the last year have not increased my faith in the credibility of your client. You and I have been in this court a lot.

“He has pleaded guilty and, on the back of that guilty plea his wife knows that she will not face prosecution so Mr Conner has got to come and face the music.

“I have given him a great deal of leniency, however, on all occasions when Mr Conner has been able to attend court he has.

“The assumption that I get is that he has not quite grasped the situation, I do not want to waste everyone’s time. I have also not seen medical notes, so I do not know what operation he has had.

“What we are going to need is a much fuller report, saying what the surgery was, what medical needs he has now and when he will be in a position to get here.

“He needs to realise that the day will come and I am afraid that the delay between last March and this March is something that will not add to any mitigation.”

Conner, of Coronation Road, had his sentencing rescheduled for Friday, March 31.

Prosecuting, Matthew Turner, said: “I do not know if there is anything that I can say. Obviously the crown has always sympathy to someone who has a genuine problem, but the evidence is scant.”