A “SPITEFUL” conman who swindled a pensioner and his own brother to fund his drugs binge has admitted ten more frauds.

James Trodd was convicted last year of stealing thousands of pounds from three victims, including a friend of his grandmother in Shoreham.

The 25-year-old had wormed his way into Patricia Ross’s bank accounts, pension pot, and emails in order to fleece her.

He also targeted work colleague Kelly Crosskey, 26, to stump up cash for a fake recruitment business venture, and even his own brother.

When they rumbled him, Trodd turned on them, becoming “gratuitous and nasty” in his revenge as the net closed in.

Ms Ross said “There are no swear words to describe him, he is just evil.”

Meanwhile Trodd was described as “grubby, unkind, manipulative, and spiteful” by Judge David Rennie when he was jailed for three years and seven months last year.

Now, the fraudster has admitted a further ten counts of fraud between October 2018 and March 2019 against four victims, worth as much as £38,000, a court heard.

He appeared via prison video link in a Skype hearing where his defence advocate Josie Sonessa said he was “keen” for the ten new frauds to be sentenced.

Judge Stephen Mooney said: “I’m always keen not to delay things unduly, but I don’t want to do a disservice to victims of this offending.”

The judge said the new offences looked “mean”, but was told the cases were not straightforward.

Richard Hearnden, prosecuting, said Trodd’s culpability was “high” because the loss to the four victims was worth nearly £38,000.

The cases related to Trodd making bank transfers from other people’s accounts into his own, the court heard.

Trodd, formerly of Kingsland Close, Shoreham, could face a longer prison sentence after admitting the new counts. Previously The Argus reported how his deception towards Patricia Ross was worth nearly £20,000.

Trodd tried to get her to invest £5,000 in a business opportunity, but she turned him down. So instead Trodd exploited her love of The Supremes to convince her to buy a gold disc worth £1,200 for £400. With her details he charged her three times to recoup the full amount.

Then he lied to her about them both being victims of fraud when she started receiving letters for credit cards and loans.

Ms Ross handed over her passport and bank details when he claimed solicitors were investigating the frauds against her.

Over 15 months he tried to divert her state pension, took out loans and credit cards. When she rumbled him, he took over her Facebook account.

Trodd stole £20,000 from her in total, and Ms Ross subsequently found out he had made 11 unsuccessful attempts to gain access to her cash.

Between February 2017 and March 2017 he conned Ms Crosskey out of more than £2,000.

His deception left her feeling anxious and lacking in trust of others.

He faces sentence later this month.