A convicted fraudster who conned a Chester couple out of more than £360,000 is wanted by police after he failed to turn up at Chester Crown Court for sentencing.

Damien Tideswell was due to appear at Chester Crown Court on Thursday, May 2, to be sentenced for two counts of fraud, but did not attend his hearing.

The 42-year-old, of Hale Drive, Liverpool, had pleaded guilty to the offences at a previous hearing on Thursday, March 7.

Officers had received an allegation that a couple from Chester had been defrauded out of £360,200.

The pair stated that Tideswell was a trusted friend and had told the victims that he had £3.5 million in overseas accounts but that his bank accounts had been frozen by HMRC.

He asked the couple if he could loan money in order to repay the fine and assured them that he would repay all the money, plus a bit more, as soon as his accounts were unfrozen.

However, he never repaid any of the money and was continuing to ask for more cash so the couple reported the matter to police.

Tideswell was subsequently arrested following a warrant at his home in December 2021, and later charged with two counts of fraud.

Tideswell is described as white, around 6ft 3in tall, of heavy build, with brown eyes and short dark brown hair.

He is from the Liverpool area, but also has links to the Flintshire area.

Anyone who sees him should call Cheshire Constabulary on 101, quoting 24000403304 or report it via the website at https://www.cheshire.police.uk/ro/report/.

Alternatively, information regarding Tideswell's whereabouts can be reported anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111