Infatuated Love-Cheat's Prison Sentence Cut

Cheat: Peter Lawrence

The prison sentence of a 78 year-old love-cheat, who stole approximately £160,000 from his ex-mistress to finance the pop career of his new girlfriend, was reduced today.

Retired-surveyor and former local Rotary Club president Peter Rex Lawrence, who also swiped another £63,000 from the property company who managed her home, was jailed for a total of five years last Friday.

Today he returned to Croydon Crown Court where Judge Daniel Flahive re-sentenced him to four years, declaring he did not give Lawrence sufficient credit for pleading guilty.

Lawrence persuaded 80 year-old Sheila Losack to twice re-mortgage her flat and broke open her jewellery box to pawn around 60 items worth £5,000 to £7,000.

All the money was sent to Swedish wannabe celebrity Tia Mehari, 27, - known to Lawrence as 'Nefe' - after the Egyptian queen Nefertiti - who he continues to send £700-£1200 per month from his private pension.

They met in Tottenham Court Road when the then 19 year-old Tia asked for directions and Lawrence invited her to join him for a coffee and she revealed her pop star ambitions under the stage name Nefertiti.

"That moment certainly changed my life," said Lawrence in conversation before he was jailed. "She's lovely. Have you ever been in love?"

As for Ms Losack, who he single-handedly deceived and financially ruined, he said: "She's still got a roof over her head."

The court heard he sent 'Nefe' another £50,000 - his share of his former matrimonial home - and 'borrowed' another £10,000 from his sister.

First-time offender Lawrence, of 17 Academy Gardens, Croydon, was homeless when Ms Losack - who he enjoyed a twenty-year relationship with during his marriage - agreed he could move in.

She owned two flats knocked into one at Le Chateau, Chatsworth Road, Croydon - bought after a life-time of work, mostly as a civil servant in the Overseas Estate Department of the Foreign & Commonwealth Office.

Tia Mehari aka 'Nefe'

"He was divorcing his wife because of affairs he had, but Ms Losack found out he was having an affair with a woman in Sweden and their relationship ended" explained prosecutor Miss Claire Robinson.

By April, 2009 Lawrence was living in the spare bedroom rent-free and on Ms Losack's recommendation he became Le Chateau's company secretary, which gave him full access to their bank account.

"He frequently asked her for money and for loans and because she felt sorry for him she agreed, but he never paid her back."

During a period of illness he helped Ms Losack with her financial affairs and set-up internet bank accounts and learned of all her investments and assets.

"For the next four years he systematically helped himself to money from those accounts and also stole her jewellery and from the residents of Le Chateau.

"When she confronted him over the broken jewellery box and missing valuables Lawrence became angry and told her he needed the money and she should: 'Get over it.'"

He withdrew £8,581 on her Co-Op credit card; £601 on her Allders store card; £1,765 on her John Lewis card and £4,959 on her M & S card.

Lawrence persuaded her to re-mortgage in sums of £57,000 and and £25,000 to finance decorating and repairs and stole the lot, also using her internet banking to transfer another £59,000 to himself.

She eventually reported him to the police in 2013. "He was putting her under pressure to sell her flat to an associate of his," said Miss Robinson.

"She has found herself virtually bankrupt and lost all of her savings and investments and the equity in her property.

"The standard of living she worked all her life to achieve has been taken away and she says Lawrence: 'Betrayed me at all levels.'

"Much of the stolen jewellery was from her family and had sentimental value and she has been left feeling violated."

Lawrence, a former Adventure Scouts leader, developed an "infatuation" with 'Nefe' said his lawyer Miss Fiona Dunkley. 

"This was a fantasy relationship that was never consummated, but took over Mr. Lawrence's life and rational though processes.

"He had been sending money to her out of fear she would otherwise end the relationship."

'Nefe' reminded him of a lost love he was left heartbroken by while living in Bahrain as a young man. "He continues to be in love with 'Nefe' to this day.

"The money was for her alleged singing career, she was seeking a contract with Virgin.

"This is the choice he has made and he still wants to maintain a relationship with 'Nefe' even though it is conducted over the phone."

A doctor says the "Nefe fantasy" protects Lawrence against the guilt of reality and possible suicide attempts.

"He is ashamed and sad about what he has done," added Miss Dunkley. "He is too embarrassed and ashamed to ask for references from anyone, but his sister."

Lawrence pleaded guilty to six counts of theft and six counts of fraud by false representation on dates between April 1, 2009 and June 5, 2013.

He was ordered to pay £10,500 compensation to Ms Losack.