A recidivist conman with a penchant for preying on vulnerable women has failed to show up to court for his latest hearing.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Paul William Abbott, 42, was due to be sentenced in the Dunedin District Court this afternoon on charges, according to the court list, of obtaining by deception, possessing cannabis and a utensil, and possessing methamphetamine and a utensil.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The case was called and there was no appearance by either the defendant or his lawyer, prompting Judge David Robinson to issue a warrant for Abbot\u2019s arrest.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The fraudster made headlines in 2022 when he was locked up for 19 months over a well-rehearsed scam.\u00a0<\/p>\n
One victim detailed how she had met Abbott on a dating website where he had used a false name and a detailed, fictitious backstory.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He presented\u00a0as easy to talk to, charming and the woman said she found herself falling for him.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The defendant swindled $18,000 out of one woman, $5650 out of another and stole $2725 of tools.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Abbott told a psychologist that money was not his motivator, rather he used online dating to help him with his social anxiety.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The court heard he gave conflicting reports about his drug use – at one point claiming it drove his crimes, at another saying it played no part.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Judge Robinson today noted Abbott had not turned up for his scheduled pre-sentence report meeting with Probation.\u00a0<\/p>\n