VICTIMS of an antique dealer conman have said they are relieved after he admitted scamming people out of heirlooms worth more than £300,000.

Daniel Clelland admitted six offences of fraud by false representation between April 1, 2015 and February 9, 2016 at Chelmsford Crown Court on Tuesday.

The 44-year-old had opened an antique shop called the Dolls House in Harwich and another called Scrooge in Manningtree and told people he would sell their property but failed to pass on any proceeds or return their items.

Among them was a stamp collection and other goods belonging to one customer said to be worth £300,000.

Another fraud related to using £31,530 cash belonging to Richard Browning-Smith.

He also admitted one offence of theft relating to family heirlooms, including the tea pot and stirrup cup of Mr Browning-Smith's.

The 64-year-old from Maltings Wharf, Manningtree said he fell for Clelland's charms.

He said: "I was in a very vulnerable position, my father had just died in January 2015.

"He said 'trust me' - anyone who says that to me again I wouldn't trust.

"He had a proper antiques shop so it looked like he was a proper antiques dealer.

"I wanted to have some things valued for insurance purposes - they went for valuation but didn't come back.

"The worst thing was three of my great uncle's war medals for services in the ranks during the Great War, one on was quite rare one from the Russians made of silver.

"They all have Geoffrey Wear on them and I'm still hopefully I will get them back somehow."

Mr Browning-Smith said there was also a gold vesta case with the crest of Essex Yeomanry he believes his great uncle kept his cigarettes in while serving in the war.

He added: "It is a relief he has pleaded guilty as I was going to have to go to court.

"It's been a very stressful time."

Eileen Tyrer of Larksfield Crescent in Dovercourt said Clelland earned their trust selling items and paying them, but the money stopped coming.

The 79-year-old said: "My husband gave him a Penny Black worth £700 as well as silver coins.

"There was a tin box I wish I have never given him.

"There was quite a bit of stuff worth £3,000.

"It was a horrible time.

"But the police have been absolutely wonderful and I can't thank them enough."

Judge David Turner QC, sitting at Chelmsford Crown Court on Tuesday, August 27, adjourned sentence until 28 September and told Clelland: “The overwhelming likelihood is there will be a prison sentence.”

He said Clelland would get credit for his pleas at the “59th minute” because it avoided a number of “quite vulnerable people from a true ordeal”.

Prosecutor Anwar Nashashibi told the court the total value of all the property was between £300,000 and £400,000.

The judge remanded the Clelland on bail on conditions of residence and that he surrender his passport.