A “RUTHLESS” conman who made £807,064 by defrauding eldelry people out of their life savings must hand over all his available assets.

Mark Frederick Howe, 46, must also give North Yorkshire Police details of his finances every six months for the next five years under a law aimed at stopping criminals from benefiting from their crimes.

Det Insp Ian Wills, head of North Yorkshire Police’s financial investigation unit, said: “Howe was completely ruthless. He conned elderly and vulnerable victims out of their life savings which they had worked for many years to build up.

“We are more than pleased to be able to take back a substantial portion of that cash and hand it back to the victims who suffered such heartbreak and anguish due to Howe’s cruel behaviour.

“I hope the victims can take some comfort from the fact that they will get some of their money back and Howe will not benefit financially from his crimes.” Howe, is serving ten years in jail for a string of thefts and deceptions against 13 victims in North and East Yorkshire committed when he operated Beech And Howe Estate Agency, with branches in Scarborough and Driffield.

At Leeds Crown Court, Recorder Eric Elliott QC ordered him to pay £185,737 after hearing details of his financial situation and declared he had benefited by £807,064.

The confiscated money will be shared among Howe’s victims. The judge also commended Det Sgt Mandy Grundy for her work on the case. If Howe fails to hand over the money, he faces 30 more months’ imprisonment.

The police can go back to court and ask for the confiscation order to be increased if he gets more assets in future.