POLICE got more than they bargained for when they went to search a woman suspected of fraud.

Jacqueline Harris turned out to be Frederick William Harris, aged 60.

A woman detective, suspicious something was not quite feminine enough about Jacqueline, went into "her" cell at Brighton police station and asked: "Something is not quite right here."

Harris replied: "No. But don't let one of those horrible policemen search me."

Off came the yellow trouser suit, padded bra, lipstick and blonde wig and Harris was left bald, wearing a purple velvet top and a five o'clock shadow.

Harris, from Whitehawk Road, Whitehawk, Brighton, yesterday was jailed at Lewes Crown Court for three years for a string of offences including trying to con a £4 million premium out of a company through a fictitious insurance firm and possessing more than $100 million of forged bonds.

He dressed as a woman as he tried to con solicitors and notaries into co-signing documents needed for his scam.

Divorced with four children, he was in his smart suit and heeled-shoes when police arrested him at a solicitor's office in Queen's Road, Brighton.

At Hove Crown Court yesterday James Sturman, defending, described his client as a "hapless fraudster and Walter Mitty character".

He said: "I have presented a letter from Mr Harris' GP confirming he is receiving treatment that will eventually lead to a full change of gender.

Sentencing, Judge Guy Anthony said: "You used at least some sophistication in the planning of these offences. Half the trouble in offences of these kind is that the gullible may fall for deceptions."

For fraudulent trading and using a false instrument he sentenced Harris to two years for each, to run concurrently.

He was also given 12 months for going equipped to cheat to run consecutively and three months for obtaining services by deception to run concurrently.

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