A SUSPECTED fraudster accused of conning people out of tens of thousands of pounds claimed he is too ill to stand trial or even to enter any pleas.

Norman Fowler was due to enter pleas on 18 charges after he was arrested in Spain more than three years after the alleged offences.

But the victims, who were allegedly conned into handing over thousands of pounds for Rolex watches and cameras online, will have to wait for a few more months before the court case against Fowler is heard.

Fowler, 38, appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court via video link from prison.

But rather than entering pleas as expected, his representative claimed he was too mentally unwell to do so.

The hearing was postponed until March 9 with a potential trial in late April.

Fowler, formerly of Propelair Way, Colchester, was arrested in Alicante in October where he had been living prior to his arrest.

All the offences relate to alleged crimes in Colchester between January and July 2013.

Fowler is accused of advertising items for sale on Gumtree.

The prosecution claim nine transactions, amounting to fraud by false representation, were authorised and nine victims sent money without goods being sent in return, amounting to theft.

Among the items included in the charges were two Rolex watches worth £5,500 and £5,320.

Also cameras worth £5,030, £1,160, £1,415, £1,150 and £550.

Others were allegedly conned out of £650 for an IMAC and £565 for an Apple Macbook.

The total fraud, and the associated thefts, will amount to about £21,000 if proven.

The court heard Fowler was questioned in 2013 but disappeared to Spain.

He was extradited via a European Arrest Warrant in October this year and was formerly charged and remanded into custody.

Medical assessments will be carried out over the coming months to decide whether Fowler is fit to enter pleas and whether he has the medical and mental capacity for a trial.

He remains in custody.