A fantasist who was spared prison twice after impersonating police has finally been put behind bars.

Chelmsford Crown Court was told that yet again Miley Byrne, 28, of Challis Lane, Braintree, had been posing as somebody else - this time he stole thousands of pounds from his bosses while masquerading under his false identity.

On one occasion Byrne even claimed he was guarding the daughter of the US Ambassador.

Now he has been jailed for 16 months.

Recorder Syed told him as he passed sentence that there were "aggravating features" including his previous convictions spread over the past seven years for which he had only served a short time behind bars after breaching earlier court orders.

As well as two previous offences of impersonating police, there had been other incidents where he had made false representation the court heard.

Recorder Syed told Byrne: "I accept there may have been a Walter Mitty aspect to past offences but this was intentional and persistent."

Byrne, who admitted stealing £5,290.70p while working as a bookkeeper for Chelmsford-based Ancient Purity nutritional specialists between July 1 and August 15 last year, transferred 11 amounts to his account in the name of Adam Wild.

He had given this name, said the judge, to prevent revealing his true identity which would have revealed his criminal record.

Kate Davey, prosecuting, said Byrne had been working one day a week for £199.20 a week as a bookkeeper/accountant but suspicions were raised when amounts up to £540 were transferred.

Laura Brickman, mitigating, told the court he had previously changed his name by deed-poll to Adam Wild and had described himself on Facebook as a "thrillseeker."