A FRAUDSTER who used Ebay to sell damaged cars to unsuspecting motorists before forcing them to leave positive feedback has been told to pay £50,000 in compensation and costs.

Dane Elliott, 29, of Lower Road, Hockley, was a director of 1st Choice Cars and Vans until he admitted three charges of fraud on Friday.

During a five-day trial, Southend Crown Court heard Elliott advertised cars on the online marketplace, burying a “disclaimer” in the advert that the cars were for trade sale only.

Up to 18 buyers put down a deposit and then travelled from as far away as Glasgow to pick up their motors.

But when they arrived at the firm’s base in Hockley, they were denied a test drive and told they must leave positive feedback on Ebay before being given the keys.

In some cases, Elliott demanded the customer’s username and password so he could write the feedback himself.

Buyers were then led into a dimly lit room to sign a contract that stated the car was being sold for trade only.

Alison Lambert, prosecuting, said the victims had agreed to accept a total of £37,935 in compensation and the Crown was seeking £12,065 in costs.

Graeme Wilson, mitigating, said the father-of-two was “truly remorseful” and believed he had acted within the law.

However, he said he changed his mind after listening to witnesses who were left thousands of pounds out of pocket, in some cases with cars that stopped working after driving for just a few miles.

In a plea for leniency, he said: “He has a young family and no previous convictions.

“He will be liable for a sum of around £50,000. That will require him working every day he possibly can.”

Mr Wilson said Elliott is now working as a tyre fitter and Chinese takeaway delivery driver in a bid to raise the cash. Recorder Martyn Royall said Elliott described vehicles as “roadworthy” and “good little runners” despite knowing the statements were false.

He said: “You required customers to leave positive feedback on Ebay before the keys of the vehicle were released, thereby manipulating the feedback so it was 100 per cent positive.”

Elliott was handed a two year prison sentence, suspended for 12 months. He was also told to complete 200 hours of unpaid work and pay both the compensation and the costs.

Mr Royall also disqualified Elliott from being a company director for a period of seven years.

Elliott was stopped following an investigation by Essex County Council's trading standards department.

Anne Brown, cabinet member for corporate, communities and customers, said: “This is not a victimless crime.

"This man has wilfully and consistently misled customers for a sustained period of years, covering his tracks by manipulating online feedback so that he could continue to take advantage of more people.

“I am pleased that the exemplary work by my colleagues at Essex Trading Standard has led to this result.

"Their dedication and hard work ensures that the people of Essex are protected from those that would abuse their trust.

"I hope that the compensation Mr Elliot’s victims will receive goes some way to repairing the damage he has done.”