NEIGHBOURS of £6m Mini fraudster Johannes Franken have branded him a “fool” and described their shock at learning of his crimes.

The 60-year-old, of Fockbury Road, Dodford, near Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, was jailed for five years and four months yesterday after pleading guilty to money laundering and five counts of fraud.

He diverted millions of pounds into his own bank account while working at the BMW Mini plant in Cowley by making up 59 fake payments to suppliers. The father-of-three lived in a five-bedroom detached house on a mile-long lane in the village, where the average house price is close to £500,000.

Fockbury Road residents spoke about their surprise after learning of Franken’s conviction and jail sentence.

One man said: “This is a nice area and you just don’t expect it”

Another resident said: “He never seemed really flash although he did have some nice cars. He has been a fool and has to ask himself was it worth it?”

Prosecutor Naomi Perry said the father-of-three spent hundreds of thousands of pounds on three “top-of-the-range” BMW cars, two with personalised number plates, a BMW motorbike, £20,000 worth of jewellery and even a diving school during a trip to Mauritius.