A CONVICTED serial conman who has been on the run for almost two years has been arrested.

Norman Fowler, 38, formerly of Propelair Way, in Colchester, was arrested by police in Spain after a European Arrest Warrant was issued.

Fowler, who is wanted by both Essex Police and the Norfolk Constabulary, failed to appear at Norwich Crown Court in December 2014 after being sentenced to three months in prison for stealing camera equipment and six months for absconding.

He has been on police 'wanted' lists ever since.

The conman is also wanted by Essex Police in connection with a £21,000 fraud.

He is also separately wanted in connection with alleged scams on websites including Gumtree and eBay.

This arrest comes after a separate period in custody in May for unrelated gun licensing matters. He was later bailed.

Fowler was given a suspended prison sentence for fraud at Hull Crown Court in 2008.

In 2009, he was arrested on suspicion of fraud and car crime offences.

Three years later, he admitted six offences at Chelmsford Crown Court and asked for 25 more to be taken into consideration.

He was ordered to carry out 300 hours of community service.

Fowler was also convicted of receiving £30,000 for goods he advertised online, but never provided, including an Audi A4 car and a Rolex watch.

In April 2014, he was charged with theft and in December that year, he was convicted of theft in his absence at Norwich Crown Court and sentenced to nine months in prison.

An Essex Police spokesperson said: "A man wanted by police in Essex and Norfolk in connection with fraud offences has been arrested.

"Norman Fowler, 38, was detained in Spain on October 10 after a European Arrest Warrant was made.

"He was wanted for fraud using Gumtree and Ebay totalling £21,000 with at least nine victims.

"He remains in custody in Spain and extradition proceedings are still underway."