Lothario fraudster who tricked his way into women's hearts back behind bars

Convicted conman John Keady, also known as Peter Berry, from East Preston, charmed women into funding his lavish lifestyle before scarpering with their cash.

The 49-year-old was described by one of his victims as looking like cartoon ogre Shrek, but his web of lies and charismatic nature led to him duping women across the country.

One police officer described the conman as having a "PhD in deception" and it is believed he has stolen as much as £2 million over his career.

He was originally jailed for five years after he pleaded guilty to 19 fraud offences at Truro Crown Court in 2010.

But after being released on licence in 2012 he is now being linked to new allegations.

Keady has now been returned to prison until 2017 for his original offences following a manhunt.

Posing as a successful businessman, a world class kayaker, an international yachtsman, and a as a brave lifeboat man, he befriended women through online dating sites.

He then persuaded his girlfriends to lend him money through extravagant lies such as needing to help friends trapped in the Himalayas.

Once he had what the money he would disappear, seeking another victim.

He even used his elderly mother's identity to forge credit card and loan applications and racked up debts on her cards.

Keady was rearrested in Lymington, in Hampshire and a spokesman for Sussex Police said he was wanted “after being accused of stealing tens of thousands of pounds”.

The detectives’ pursuit led to Berry abandoning his flat in Sea Lane, East Preston, and him being spotted in a bar in London sporting a full beard and speaking with a thick Eastern European accent.

During the appeal officers said they believed so women may be “too embarrassed” to come forward about what had happened.

Keady also used the names Jay Smith, James Smith, Dr James Smith and Taz Keady to avoid detection.

HE LOOKED LIKE SHREK BUT HIS CHARISMA ATTRACTED VICTIMS

WEIGHING around 20 stones, one of John Keady’s victims said he had more in common with cartoon ogre Shrek then good looking rival Prince Charming.

Yet to her surprise, she found herself becoming attracted to him.

Because what Keady lacked in physical attractiveness, he more than made up for in charisma and manipulation, using an elaborate web of lies to con women out of cash.

Through online dating sites such as Fitness Singles and Plenty of Fish, where Keady went by the name Icarus Boy, he met women in their 30s and 40s.

He created stories and characters, going by false names and with backstories detailing his life as a successful businessman, a heroic lifeboat man, a world class kayaker, and a dashing yachtsman.

He lured women in with his fantasies and his “warm, relaxed and bright” nature, often taking victims to view huge homes costing several million pounds.

Keady was shameless, even tricking his elderly mother and forging credit cards and loan applications in her name.

But eventually he was caught and his lies would only take him so far.

He was arrested and jailed for five years after he pleaded guilty to 19 fraud offences.

Judge Christopher Elwyn, who sentenced Keady, said “there was nothing impulsive about what you did. 

“It was mean and calculated.” 

Judge Elwyn said Keady had embarked on a “campaign of cruel and underhanded deceit”.

But after serving two years of his sentence he was released on licence and detectives are now linking him to a series of new allegations. 

Officers have returned him to prison where he will serve the rest of his original sentence.