A former Suffolk farmer convicted of defrauding creditors out of "hundreds of thousands of pounds" was unable to attend court as he is undergoing tests for suspected testicular cancer.

Wayne Parker, who now lives at Hazel Grove, Feltham, was due to appear before Ipswich Crown Court on Thursday, but the court heard his health had deteriorated before Christmas and he had been in extreme pain.

His GP has referred him for cancer treatment.

In October, he was convicted of fraud after the court heard he had issued cheques for thousands of pounds that bounced on accounts which only contained a few pennies or which were empty.

Parker, who used to live in Suffolk, denied participating in a fraudulent business with intent to defraud creditors by incurring debts but was convicted after a three-week trial.

Nadia Silver, prosecuting for Suffolk Trading Standards, claimed that Parker bought goods on credit and on the goodwill of suppliers and assured them he was a person of good standing who would pay what he owed.

His case has been adjourned to February 7.