Farmer who swindled creditors out of nearly a million to enjoy 'lavish lifestyle' before going on the run to avoid jail is told to repay just £230

A farmer who swindled creditors out of almost a million pounds before going on the run to avoid being jailed has been ordered to repay just £230.

Wayne Parker, 36, used the funds to live a 'lavish lifestyle' and then cocked a snook at the authorities by openly using online dating sites while evading arrest.

When he was finally caught, he was jailed for a total of five years for the 'brazen' fraud, as well as shocking animal welfare and disease control offences.

But it has now emerged that he will only have to pay £230.70 despite having numerous victims because that is the sum of his assets - and only one creditor will receive the entire amount.

Judge Nicola Talbot-Hadley said there were so many victims that the money should go to whoever would benefit from it the most, rather than everyone receiving a tiny payment. It was not made clear who will get the compensation.

Parker was also ordered to pay a £170 victim surcharge. Failure to pay the sums within three months will lead to 40 days being added to his sentence.

The combined total of £400.70 represents just 0.0004 per cent of the £981,551.58 his criminal benefit was calculated at.