LEIGH, UK - A Romeo conman who tricked women out of thousands of pounds after starting relationships with them has been warned that he faces a jail sentence. David King's two victims "fell for his charms" after meeting him through an internet dating website, a court heard. King gave false details and posed as a successful businessman. He dated both women and persuaded them to invest money in a book he claimed to be publishing.

King, aged 61, who lives in Leigh, pleaded guilty to four deception offences at Preston Crown Court. He had been due to face a two-week trial on a total of 14 charges. He admitted two charges of obtaining money by deception and two of obtaining property by deception, committed in January, February and April, 2004.

In total, £10,500 was obtained from the two women.Nick Courtney, prosecuting, said King put misleading details on the Dating Direct website.

"Effectively, he used that website, not merely to make contact with women and go on dates with them, but then to introduce them to himself as a capable and successful publisher and obtain money from them," he said.

"He was doing exactly the same thing with both of the ladies at the same time, telling them he liked them very much and wanted to have a long-term relationship, even to marry them, and at the same time, interesting them in his book and getting money off them.

"They have fallen for his charms, thinking they would be making an investment and assisting him with his publishing."

His guilty pleas were accepted on the grounds that it would not be in the public interest to pursue a trial in which "much dirty linen may have to be washed in public".

The original list of 14 charges had involved a total of six women. Investigations began into King's activities after complaints to BBC TV's Watchdog program. Judith McCullough, defending, said King understood that a prison sentence could follow.

"The defendant is currently attempting to raise the funds in order to make at least part payment of compensation," she said.

King will be sentenced on July 31 and he was granted bail until then.

Judge Stuart Baker said: "In view of the amount involved and the persistence of the behaviour and the defendant's previous convictions, the most likely outcome will be an immediate prison sentence."