A FRAUDSTER has admitted threatening a witness involved in a probe against him.

Elliss Cross is set to be sentenced in May after admitting intimidation - more than a year after admitting fraud by selling a fake Rolex watch.

The 29-year-old, of Concord Road, Canvey, appeared at Basildon Crown Court yesterday to stand trial for intimidating the woman.

However, he changed his plea to guilty. The court heard that Cross had sent threats to the woman that he knew was a potential witness in the case against him and that his actions were to cause the investigation to be obstructed or interfered with.

On April 29, 2019, in Benfleet, Cross sold a man the counterfeit Rolex wristwatch while passing it off as a real one, which was worth considerably more.

Cross pocketed £6,000 in gains from the sale, until the crime was reported to the police.

Cross’ sentence was adjourned until the week commencing May 3 to allow for a pre-sentence report to be prepared. Recorder Charlie Sherrard QC told Cross it was “imperative” that he work with the probation service, who would consider “all options” against him.