A CONMAN who faked his own death has been awarded £500 compensation after he was assaulted at a pub.

Bolton Crown Court heard that Jason Hart suffered a broken nose when Gary Stone headbutted him and then punched him twice.

The incident took place in the doorway of The Swan in Bradshawgate on September 2 last year.

The court was told that the pair knew each other because the defendant’s fiance is the best friend of Hart’s ex girlfriend, named in court only as Louise.

Andy Scott, prosecuting, said: “The complainant stated that the defendant approached him and asked if he remembered him.

“The defendant introduced himself as Gaz.

He said ‘this is a message from Louise’ and headbutted him in the face and knocked him to the floor.”

Stone, who pleaded guilty to assault causing actual bodily harm, denied saying that he had a message from Louise.

He claimed that Mr Hart said “you had better watch your back”

and squared up to him.

The court heard that Stone, aged 31, runs his own business and is of previous good character.

Rachel White, defending, said: “It was totally out of character.”

Stone, of Ivanhoe Court, Moses Gate, was ordered to do 100 hours of unpaid work, pay £500 compensation to Mr Hart and £250 costs.

Judge Timothy Stead said: “I am sure you are disappointed to be before the court. This was out of character and something of a oneoff.”

Mr Hart was jailed for two years in 2009 for conspiracy to commit fraud and perjury.

He cheated eBay customers out of £23,500 by “selling” items that he did not have.

He also made The Bolton News headlines when he faked his own death. Mr Hart phoned a reporter pretending to be his own father, referring to an earlier, genuine, story in which it was reported he had saved his parents from a fire.

He was also jailed for a month after being found guilty of assaulting one of The Bolton News’ photographers.

Following his fraud conviction, a hearing under the Proceeds of Crime Act was told that he made £32,000 from his crimes, but he only had £216 in his bank account.

He was warned that if he ever came into any money or assets that they could be taken from him in future.