AN M4 conman who left prison only to return to his old ways is beginning another two-year sentence for ripping off motorists with a convincing sob story.

Paul James, 46, who lives in Bristol, took advantage of the good will of motorists by preying on them at service stations and slip-roads around Swindon.

After a court heard he had managed to scam them out of thousands of pounds, James has now been jailed for two years.

In each incident, 46 year old Paul James from Bristol would carry a green fuel can, stand on various slip roads between Junction 19 of the M4 and the A419 Swindon turn-off at Junction 15.

James had served half of a previous two-year sentence, imposed on May 27, 2014, when he was released on license and went back to his old tricks.

Claiming his vehicle had run out of fuel he would ask motorists for a lift to the nearest service station, primarily Leigh Delamere or Membury, and money for the fuel. He would sometimes ask for money for repairs.

One of those caught up in the scam was 61-year-old Trevor Smith, who had been travelling from Kent to Bristol past Swindon on May 19 when he came across James holding up an empty fuel can.

“He is certainly a very plausible con man,” Trevor said in July.

“I stopped at Membury and spotted him, and just decided to help him out. That is very uncharacteristic of me, but I just felt in a good mood and wanted to do him a favour.

“The whole storyline sounded very tragic, and seemed as though he was going to get ripped off himself.

“It was very convincing, and looking back, was obviously a well rehearsed routine.

“He explained to me the breakdown guys were going to charge about £1,000 to tow him to Cornwall and that this was the only option open to him to safely deliver his cargo worth £3,000.”

Trevor offered to pay £250 towards the cost of the tow, adding another £50 for the apparently distressed man to get a meal, as he said he had left his wallet in his car.

David Fanson, defending at a previous hearing, said: “He has co-operated fully with the police and told them everything he knows. He is 46 and all of these offences are drug related.

"He has had a drug problem for many years, and has been free from drugs on occasion but that is not the case at the moment. This is not something he wants to be doing, it is a compulsion. He plans to use his time in prison to become drug free in the hope that he can remain that way when he is released.”

After the sentencing, PC Brian Dibble, of Wiltshire Police, said: “This man is a prolific fraudster, praying on Good Samaritans to assist him in the recovery of his vehicle purported to have broken down. Always on the M4 /M5. The assistance is always in the form of money.

“Paul James did not care who he came across. One victim was 80 years of age. He is a predator of the lowest order.

“Our thanks to the members of public who have helped in bringing him to justice.

“Wiltshire police are determined to stamp out this type of fraud. If anyone believes they may have been a victim of this man, or of fraud generally, please come forwards and make contact with me Brian Dibble or the Crime Team in Melksham on 101.”