Morrison worked as an expert forensic psychologist in court cases

Gene Morrison, 48, who left school with no qualifications, was described in court as a charlatan who had tricked judges, lawyers and police.

About 700 cases he worked on will now have to be re-assessed, Manchester's Minshull Street Crown Court was told.

Morrison, of Martin Street, Hyde, was told a jail sentence was inevitable.

The court heard he was paid at least £250,000 in taxpayers' money for giving apparently expert advice.

Morrison's firm, Criminal and Forensic Investigations Bureau (CFIB), was hired to give evidence in court.

I think he's a delusional character - the depths to which he sunk are unbelievable

Det Supt Martin Bottomley

His firm's website - bearing the motto Exposing unrighteousness for the sake of righteousness - claimed he had more than 20 years experience.

Morrison admitted to police he began working as a forensic investigator in 1977 after buying certificates by post for a BSc in Forensic Science, a Masters with excellence in Forensic Investigation and a Doctorate in Criminology.

Despite this, during his trial he insisted on being called Dr Morrison.

He also told police he learned his skills from a retired West Yorkshire detective and a mysterious Mr X, a member of the Czech Republic's defence ministry.

Morrison worked out of an office in Hyde

Morrison told police he started an Open University (OU) degree, but in court revealed he only actually phoned for a brochure and recorded OU programmes from BBC2 in the 1970s.

In the beginning, Morrison hired real forensic scientists to carry out handwriting and fingerprint analysis which he would pass off as his own and charge clients double.

But later he simply cut and pasted old reports together and changed details, the court heard.

Morrison's clients included legal firms, insurance companies, private businesses and individuals.

He gave evidence in cases involving armed robbery, rape, death by dangerous driving, unexplained death and drugs offences.

'Walter Mitty'

Greater Manchester Police is sending a report to the attorney general on Morrison's work to examine any possible miscarriages of justice.

The force is also investigating hundreds of cases.

Det Supt Martin Bottomley, speaking outside court, described Morrison as a Walter Mitty-type character.

"His professional life has been based on a web of deceit and lies and he's fleeced many victims out of hundreds of thousands of pounds," said the detective.

"I think he's a delusional character. The depths to which he sunk are unbelievable, really."

Morrison was found guilty of 20 offences including obtaining a money transfer by deception, obtaining property by deception, perverting the course of justice and perjury.

He admitted a further two charges.

He was cleared of one count of obtaining a money transfer by deception.

The guilty verdicts followed two days of deliberation by the jury.

Judge Jeffrey Lewis remanded Morrison in custody and told him a custodial sentence was inevitable.

Morrison will be sentenced on Thursday.