A CONVICTED fraudster who benefitted to the tune of more than £30,000 from his crimes has been ordered by a judge to pay back just £5.

Martin Ashley, 30, had previously been convicted of one count of fraud, two counts of converting criminal property and one count of transferring criminal property.

Cardiff Crown Court yesterday heard that Ashley, from Curre Street in Cwm, Ebbw Vale, had benefitted from his crimes by £36,000.

Speaking at his hearing today, Judge Tracey Lloyd Clarke said that Ashley's only assets, listed as a house and a car, were both in negative equity.

Setting the repayment at £5, Judge Lloyd-Clarke commented: "You can't be ordered to pay back what you haven't got. You must pay this amount within 28 days."