A FORMER church pastor who defrauded £250,000 is still on the loose after failing to turn up for his court sentencing, police confirmed today.

Bruce Scott, 50, of Overdales, Hazlemere, was due to attend Reading Crown Court on Thursday but did not attend.

The court heard he had been seen by a traffic camera driving in his car towards the M40 motorway at the time he was supposed to be in the dock.

Judge Parkes issued a warrant for Scott arrest that day, but police have yet to apprehend him.

During a six-week trial last year, in which Scott was convicted of ten counts of fraud, a jury heard he swindled money from individuals and businesses he met through work and his church, the Covenant Church of the Cross in Farnham Common.

He convinced his victims to part with thousands of pounds in cash in return for business loans, which were never repaid.

His wife, Belinda Scott, who did turn up to be sentenced on Thursday, was given a conditional discharge by Judge Parks The judge said Mrs Scott, who was convicted of one count of fraud by false representation, had a limited role in the fraudulent scheme ran by her husband.

Click here for the full report on Thursday’s proceedings.