AN alleged romance fraudster conned seven women out of nearly £657,000, a court heard.
Marc Cole-Jones, 52, got them to pay towards heart surgery, a beauty clinic and luxury cars, it is claimed.
One alleged victim, Kelly Wright, is said to have handed over 15 payments totalling £489,000.
This included a one-off payment of £158,000, and another of £100,000.
The charges allege that Cole-Jones falsely portrayed himself as a businessman who persuaded her to invest in a canal boat.
He allegedly sold it without her knowledge for a £75,000 profit.
Other alleged frauds also involved the buying and selling of vehicles.
Cole-Jones denies 25 counts of fraud by false representation between 2009 and 2024.
At Chester crown court. Judge Patrick Thompson fixed a trial date of June 28, 2027.
Cole-Jones, of Telford, was granted conditional bail on the grounds that he does not contact any complainant.
