A fraudster who pretended to be quadriplegic and sometimes comatose for two years to avoid prosecution has been convicted after police caught him on camera driving and strolling around supermarkets.

Prosecutors say Alan Knight of Swansea, Wales, stole more than £40,000 from an elderly neighbour with Alzheimer's disease.

When police began investigating, Knight claimed to be quadriplegic and so sick he sometimes fell into a coma. He checked himself into a hospital to avoid court appearances.

After faking paralysis and a coma to avoid court, Alan Knight was captured on surveillance cameras walking around a supermarket. He later pleaded guilty to forgery, fraud and theft. (Athena Pictures)

His deceit was uncovered when police tracked the use of his supermarket card, and produced surveillance camera footage of him walking and driving.

Knight pleaded guilty Tuesday at Swansea Crown Court to 19 counts of forgery, fraud and theft.

The court said Wednesday that Knight is due to be sentenced Nov. 7.