THREE Hampshire men have been jailed for a total of almost ten years for ripping off more than 40 companies in a £1.5m scam.

The trio conned firms – two in Southampton – in a sophisticated and sustained fraud that was eventually smashed by local detectives.

The swindle had devastating consequences for two firms, one of which collapsed and the other was forced into voluntary liquidation.

Employees and their families in other firms also suffered extensive anguish amid fears that they might lose their jobs.

Michael Ward, 47, Mark Proudfoot, 55, and Aston Dibden, 25, operated what the prosecution called “a long firm fraud”.

Prosecutor James Newton- Price told Southampton Crown Court that the trio bought or used a company name with a good credit rating to convince suppliers to sell them goods.

They would then order large quantities of electrical items, principally computers and televisions, which could easily be sold for profit, with no intention to pay for them.

The goods were delivered to business premises that had been leased on short-term rents where they were collected by the defendants or others working for them.

None had ever been seen again.

One company alone, Amicus, lost more than £500,000, while Windsor-based firm Just AV entered liquidation.

West Country firm Data Mountain also went bust.

The conmen also targeted Gift2Gadget and Time Marketing Ltd in Southampton.

Described as the front man, contract cleaner Ward, of Kendal Avenue, Millbrook, Southampton, admitted eight charges of fraudulent trading and one of money laundering which involved goods worth £1,000,080.

He was jailed for five years after asking for four other charges to be taken into consideration – three of fraudulent trading concerning goods worth another £330,000 and one of fraud involving the purchase of a £25,000 Mercedes.

Proudfoot, of Winchester Road, Boorley Green, admitted four offences of fraudulent trading and was jailed for three years.

Dibden, of Birch Glade, Calmore, admitted two similar charges and was jailed for 20 months.

Detective Inspector David Brown, who led the investigation, told the Daily Echo: “This has been a lengthy and complex investigation by Hampshire police’s economic crime unit into a gang of criminals who had no regard for the distress and hardship their actions have caused to so many hard-working, law-abiding members of society.

“Fraud is often thought to be a victimless crime but the sentences handed down today send a strong message that those motivated by greed will be brought to justice.”