A man from Palmers Green who tried to con an insurer out of £20,000 by telling them his finance’s engagement ring was stolen has been handed a suspended sentence.

David Fredrick Hammond was given the six-month suspended term after admitting to fraud at the Old Bailey.

He had told the insurer the ring was stolen while the couple were on holiday in Brazil.

However, Hammond’s plan was flawed when a picture of his future wife wearing the same ring appeared on Facebook.

The 27-year-old went on to claim that the ring that appeared in the picture was a replica, but his elaborate story was not enough to fool Insurers and, as a result, the case was referred to fraud investigators at the City of London Police.

Along with the suspended six month sentence, Hammond was also ordered to undertake 200 hours of unpaid work, wear an electronic tag for three months and pay £300 in costs.