Saturday 10 October 2009

'Menace Of Mayfair's' Jewellery Crime Spree



A modern-day ‘Raffles’ – dubbed the ‘Menace of Mayfair’ – cheated over fifty victims out of jewellery and valuables worth nearly £100,000 after meetings in posh locations such as The Dorchester and Claridges.

Smooth-talking Scottish conman Andrew Batchelor, 51, boss of the impressively titled ‘The Watch and Jewellery Exchange of Mayfair’ paid no income tax and had previously been jailed for similar crimes north of the border.

He will be sentenced at Isleworth Crown Court on October 16 after pleading guilty to 22 counts of fraud by false representation, 6 counts of deception and one of fraudulent trading during the five-year swindle which funded his extravagant lifestyle.

Victims, wowed by his convincing website and expertise, handed him over valuables to sell, after meetings in Mayfair bars, restaurants and hotels, but in return received worthless cheques.

He was arrested on July 9, last year after one victim reported being swindled and following a probe by the London Regional Asset Recovery Team a total of 45 duped customers were identified.

Batchelor (pictured) is notorious in his native Scotland where he was sentenced to five-and-a-half years for similar crimes in 1999 at the High Court and is a bankrupt.

Dubbed the ‘Glasgow Goldfinger’ for a string of high profile crimes he swindled £400,000 out of unsuspecting victims at his shop in Royal Exchange.

Victims taken in by his easy charm, designer wardrobe and trappings of wealth include company directors, lawyers and hedge fund managers who lost valuables worth up to £30,000 each.

Described as “sophisticated, charming and very persuasive” Batchelor sold or pawned the items, splashing out on fancy hotels, five-star holidays, Vidal Sassoon haircuts, eyebrow shaping and eyelash tinting.

Superintendent Matt Parkes of the London Regional Asset Recovery Team said: "Over a period of five years, Andrew Batchelor has caused a great deal of anguish to his victims, depriving them of their valued possessions with no financial remuneration.

“This successful prosecution shows that London RART will pursue persons who cause such harm to the public, prosecute them and take back all the proceeds of their crime."

No comments: