NOTORIOUS internet fraudster Phillip Shortman admitted more fraud offences using auction websites, totalling £1,010.

Shortman, 24, of Taff Court, Thornhill, Cwmbran, is currently serving a 42 months sentence after admitting to a string of similar offences in May this year.

Newport Magistrates’ Court heard that between September 29 and October 23 2010 Shortman advertised computer software on eBay and Gumtree, and after receiving the money from buyers, sent out inferior items.

One victim, a 68-year-old woman from the West Midlands, who paid Shortman £380 for what she believed would be Adobe software, cried when she received a computer disk marked with black marker pen, the court heard.

The woman received £250 compensation from eBay but said told police the incident had caused her much anxiety.

Two other men paid Shortman £350 and £280 for software via eBay and Gumtree and received pirate copies instead of the original materials as advertised.

Shortman pleaded guilty via video link to three charges of fraud by false representation at yesterday's hearing.

Prosecutor Rob Simkins said Shortman had “persistently abused” auction websites and had many convictions for similar offences in the past.

These 55 fraud offences, which largely related to the use of eBay, he said.

James Campbell, defending, said the offences were committed after Shortman had been released from prison on licence and he accepted he had sent out copies of the software in place of the original material.

Mr Campbell said police decided not to take action in relation to these offences when he was charged and subsequently jailed for similar offences in May but the situation had since changed.

Magistrates declined to deal with the matter and Shortman was remanded in custody to appear at Newport Crown Court on September 16 for sentence.