AN artist who was jailed three times for forging famous masterpieces has staged an exhibition of his “fake” work.

Max Brandrett – dubbed Max the Forger – fooled some of the country’s top art experts and had his work sold at London’s leading auction houses.

The 70-year-old from Burgess Hill has copied hundreds of paintings, including masterpieces by Italian artist Caravaggio and a portrait for the Kray twins, before trying to pass them off as originals.

His most profitable piece was a copy of Clarkson Stanfield’s Dover shipping scene which sold to a private buyer in Birmingham for £12,000.

But after spending three years behind bars, Max said he would not do it again and hopes to gain respect as an artist in his own right.

He said: “It’s ironic to think I spent three years in prison for selling fake paintings and now people are coming to marvel at my work.

“Many of my paintings must be hanging on people’s walls who are none the wiser.

“I was a bit naughty – I never told people where they were from.

“I left it to them to decide.

“Those were hard times 35 years ago and we did what we had to do but I wouldn’t do it again now.

“I think now, I’m just looking for respect for the skill involved in what I do.”

Max left Barnardo’s children’s home to join the circus aged 15.

He groomed the elephants for two years and painted the trucks which prompted him to study art.

He was inspired to forge paintings while busking in London where he bumped into Tom Keatings, the most famous forger of the 20th century.

Max is now focusing on his “fake but legit” works which went on display at his exhibition in Burgess Hill.