Dani Dyer stands by boyfriend Sammy Kimmence as he’s jailed for 42 months for scamming OAPs out of thousands

DANI Dyer will stand by her boyfriend Sammy Kimmence after he was jailed for 42 months for scamming two pensioners.

Pals of the TV star insist she has no intention of leaving Sammy, 25, who she shares seven-month-old son Santiago with.

During Kimmence's trial Dani's rep confirmed the pair would remain together.

And in April a source said: "She's vowed to stand by him. He's the father of her baby."

Dani is yet to acknowledge the sentencing but instead she shared Instagram videos of her packing for a holiday with their son.

A source told the : 'Dani thought he would be let off. She had booked the holiday for herself, Sammy and their son Santi, seven months, but now she's having to go without Sammy."

The fraudster sobbed and called himself "an awful human being" as a judged sentenced him today.

It came after he posed as a financial investor to defraud two vulnerable victims, 80 and 90, out of their hard-earned cash.

He splashed his ill-gotten gains on expensive restaurants, hotels and clothes.

But today he burst into tears as he began a three-and-a-half year jail sentence for the crime - just months after he and Dani, 24, welcomed a son.

Sleazy Sammy, a stockbroker and amateur football player, persuaded Peter Marin and Peter Haynes to allow him to invest their money for them.

His victims were clients at legitimate investment company Equine Global Sports Limited, where Kimmence worked as a senior trader.

The company received money from customers which it would use to place bets on horse races, on their behalf.

But Portsmouth Crown Court heard Kimmence took the clients on when the business went into liquidation, falsely claiming he was authorised to provide financial services.

VICTIM LEFT 'ON THE BREADLINE'

One victim was left "living on the breadline" after the dodgy dealer splashed the cash in nightclubs and on a personalised number plate for his Mercedes.

The slimy defendant initially denied all charges - but changed his plea at the last minute.

And he sobbed as he was jailed this morning after coughing to five counts of fraud.

Mr Martin died in November last year aged 91, while Mr Haynes suffers from Alzheimer's.

Prosecutor Mike Mason said: "This was a very unpleasant fraud against two men who Mr Kimmence deliberately targeted.

"He targeted them because they were old, they were vulnerable and somewhat isolated.

"This wasn't something he migrated into from a friendship. This was something he planned."

The court heard Kimmence travelled to visit Mr Haynes and Mr Martin at their homes several times as he "groomed them".

Documents sent to the victims by Kimmence included fake company names and an "entirely fabricated" Gambling Commission number.

These were riddled with errors, including "miscalculated balances" and a misspelling of Kimmence's own name.

Kimmence convinced Mr Martin to give him his internet banking password, credit card and bank card.

Mr Mason said: "In other words, he ceded financial control to Mr Kimmence. It is akin to the fox getting a key to the chicken pen.

"Mr Martin considered him a friend right up until he died, which tells us a little about the energy he put in to grooming these old men."

It's akin to the fox getting a key to the chicken pen

Prosecutor Mike Mason

Mr Haynes, who had a career in the RAF before his retirement, said in a statement: "In one go all the savings I have accrued over my working life were wiped out. My bank account shows zero.

"I have been sick with worry at my situation and have lost a lot of weight from stress and worry.

"It is no exaggeration to say I was left living on the breadline because of his actions and dishonesty."

In a letter, Kimmence apologised to the judge for being an "awful human being".

"When these crimes were committed, I was a completely different person. I was a youngster, driven by ego, opinions and looking like something I wasn't," he said.

"I have come a long way from the person I was."

Dani didn't appear at her boyfriend's side as he arrived at court today.

Kimmence was due to be sentenced last month.

However, the hearing was delayed - meaning he got to spend his first Father's Day at home with family.

A source told The Sun: "Sammy put his hands up and admitted his crime and he will take his punishment when the time comes.”

Kimmence and Dani live a lavish lifestyle, sharing a £725k home in Essex, and posting about trips to Ibiza and expensive spa days on social media.

Dani, who won the hearts of the nation when she appeared on Love Island, played no part in the fraud.

Before she went into the villa, she and Kimmence had a relationship that ended in a series of rows.

Once her romance with fellow Love Islander Jack Fincham came to an end, she and Sammy were reunited.

In January, the couple welcomed their first child.

Dani, the daughter of EastEnders actor Danny Dyer, announced the birth of Santiago on social media, saying: "After a very long day and night finally our special little boy arrived 23/01/2021 ... Weighing 7 pound.

"We are in a complete baby bubble and enjoying every moment, can not believe he is ours, completely in love and so grateful to be his mummy..

"Sending all my love to all the other mommas to be out there in lockdown.. the best experience ever will never forget this day."