'Ponzi' Scam Used London 2012 Olympics To Swindle £40m From Investors

Spencer Steinberg

Three Ponzi fraudsters used fake contracts with the London 2012 Olympics and international hotel chains to swindle £40m out of family, friends and other investors, a court heard today.

A small east London electrical wholesale company was the vehicle used in the scam, which financed the purchase of Rolls Royce, Bentley, Ferrari's and Porsche cars for the organisers, plus yachts and million pound homes.

Chartered accountant Spencer Mitchell Steinberg, 45, of Lodge End, Radlett, Hertfordshire and garment storer Michael Strubel, 53, of Princes Manor, Royal Drive, New Southgate deny the charge in a trial expected to last two months.

Both men have pleaded not guilty to conspiring between January 1, 2006 and May 31, 2010 to defraud investors in Saunders Electrical Wholesalers Ltd; Zac Fashion; Camlet Capital Investments; Camlet Capital and Hole In One.

They are accused of falsely promising Saunders Electrical Wholesalers Ltd (SEWL) had high-value electrical contracts with blue chip hotel chains and with London 2012's Olympic Village. 

Jolan Marc Saunders, 39, of Almonds, Avenue, Buckhurst Hill, Essex has pleaded guilty to the same conspiracy charge and will be sentenced at the conclusion of the Southwark Crown Court trial.

Michael Strubel

He also pleaded guilty to contravening a company director disqualification order by running Saunders Electrical Wholesalers Ltd. between December 19, 2008 and May 31, 2010.

"Investment deals were around the massive supply of electrical goods to hotel chains and later on those involved in the construction of the Olympic Village in Stratford," said prosecutor Miss Sarah Foreshaw QC. 

"These defendants, using the vehicle of a small electrical company, were saying: 'We've secured the contract for the whole of the athletes village.' The contracts to supply were fictitious."

Investors put money in with the promise they would receive up to 7% interest on contracts to supply the Hilton and Marriott hotel chains with trousers presses, lightbulbs, air conditioning units, television sets and other electrical equipment.

"The vast pool of money was never used to buy electrical goods for hotels," explained the QC. "The defendants skimmed off huge sums of money for themselves.

Ironically some investors joked the scheme, which ran from 2006 until May 2010, was a scam similar to notorious Ponzi fraudster Bernard Madoff, 77, serving 150 years for an $18 billion fraud.

"You will hear the name Madoff in this case. Ironically his sentence in 2008 made the news and some of the investors joked whether this was a similar Ponzi scheme because it all seemed too good to be true.

"They were assured by the defendants that it was not. In their joke they had hit upon the truth.

Jolan Saunders

"This fraud involves persuading people to part with their money on the promise these defendants were going to invest it for them in a very good profitable business, but they effectively pocketed the money for themselves.

"It made them rich. Rich at the expense of their investors.

"You will hear about Bentley's, Ferrari's, Porsche's, Rolls Royce's, yachts and million pound houses. You will hear that these defendants, for a while, lived the life of Riley.

"When it all unravelled and the victims discovered what they had done there were tears and expressions of regret from both these defendants.

"Some of those tears may have been genuine because they knew by then they were in trouble, they had been found out.

"Many of those who lent money were friends, they trusted them. The defendants hoped the fraud would continue for longer so the closest of their friends and family members would cash out when the scheme imploded.

"The tears of regret were as convincing as the lies they told to convince professional people to invest money. They are conmen and they do it well."

   

The trio were arrested in December 2010 by the Serious Fraud Office, assisted by officers from the Serious Organised Crime Agency, Met, Essex and Hertfordshire police raided five residential addresses and one commercial premises during Operation Canon.

"Saunders Electrical Wholesalers Ltd (SEWL) was a one man and van set-up," explained Miss Foreshaw.

"It did sometimes do business with hotels on a small scale and that was useful because it had some genuine purchase orders and invoices from electrical suppliers.

"They provided useful templates to create documents that suggested SEWL was involved in a fantastic multi-million pound contract.

"The basic lie was that SEWL had mega-orders that required large short-term financing. 

"Bank statements and company accounts were falsified and emails doctored.

"Vulnerable victims parted with tens of thousands of pounds and sometimes their life-savings.

"Many were business acquaintances, many were from the Jewish community in north and east London, friends, family, people who trusted them, some knew them from childhood.

"The defendants, caught up in gold fever and with the trappings of wealth ploughed on."

Saunders rented space for SEWL at a warehouse run by Strubel in Hainault Business Park, Fowler Road, Ilford.

Strubel has a background in the garment trade and ran Zac Fashion - a storage company - and his accountant was Steinberg.

Both Steinberg and Strubel handed over cash-stuffed envelopes to investors. "They were, these three, the prosecution say, as thick as thieves.

"They bought properties together and went on holiday together during the fraud," said Miss Foreshaw.

"All grew rich from the fraud and Strubel, in particular, treated himself to luxury cars and a yacht."

Saunders forged genuine hotel purchase orders to impress investors, in one case doctoring a genuine £120 lightbulb order to show a fictitious £90,000 order and on another occasion a £4.71 order became one for £79,000.

Trial continues…………

Carer Thieved Off Mystery Novelist

A carer employed by an award-winning mystery author today admitted stealing from the 86 year-old woman, who has sadly developed dementia.

Vicky Mari Stallon, 27, of Varndell Street, Regent's Park, looked-after US-born novelist Marian Babson, who has penned forty-five books and in 1996 was awarded the prestigious Dagger in the Library award by the Crime Writers Association for her body of work.

She pleaded guilty to one count of theft committed between April 1 and September 30, last year, but disputes the prosecution case she stole £27,000, claiming the true figure is no more than £15,000.

Blackfriars Crown Court heard £13,680 was credited to Stallon's account while she was employed by the author – real name Ruth Stenstreem – at her home in Trinity Court, Gray's Inn Road.

Police have calculated £27,000 vanished from the victim's account, but Stallon's lawyer Mr. Richard Barratt said: “Other carers took the complainant to the bank and cashed large cheques.

“The habit of the complainant was to take large amounts of cash out of her bank account to put in envelopes for bills.”

He described the defendant as “a very vulnerable individual”, he added: “She became an online gambler. That is where the money went and mobile phone credits.

“She was not a carer for the full period. There was also a friendship.”

Judge Daniel Worsley told her: “You have done well to admit your dishonesty, but it's a terrible crime in breach of trust”

She will be sentenced on October 20.

Twelve Year-Old Schoolgirl Approached By Stranger: CCTV Of Suspect Released

Police have released this CCTV image of a suspected paedophile who propositioned a 12 year-old schoolgirl in the middle of the afternoon.

Detectives from the Metropolitan Police's Sexual Offences Exploitation and Child Abuse Command continue to investigate.

The schoolgirl was walking along Euston Road, Camden at 1.45pm on April 26 on her way to meet her mother when she was approached by the stranger.

The girl ran off and told her mother what had happened.

She was not physically injured.

Detective Sergeant Sam Wood, who leads the investigation said: "We are keen to identify and speak to this man as soon as possible.

"From the CCTV he seems to be a light skinned man with long dark hair who wearing a distinctive grey sweatshirt and blue jeans.

"If you can identify this man call police on 020 8733 5999 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."

Bank Cashier Blackmailer Binned For Two Years

A sinister blackmailer, who tried to intimidate a female bank cashier into paying him £15,000 by threatening to report her to the police for stealing from her employer, has been jailed for two years.

Initially posing as a detective and then a bank supervisor 23 year-old Iqbal Miah, of Hamlet Road, Southend-on-Sea called the woman's personal mobile phone while she was working at a branch of Santander.

The jobless father-of-two, who lives on benefits, was found guilty at Harrow Crown Court of blackmailing Melinna Yanni at the Kilburn High Road, Kilburn branch on September 24, last year.

“You made two calls from your mobile phone to her personal mobile phone, posing first as a police officer and then a branch area manager,” Recorder E Cohen told Miah on Friday.

“You told her to co-operate or: 'Your boys would be involved' and that she: 'would go to prison for two years.'

“Your victim was very frightened, she's lost weight and is still seeing a therapist.

“You now say it was a prank, but that is not the impression you gave to your victim and her manager. You had some personal knowledge of her circumstances and blackmail is a nasty offence.”

Prosecutor Mr. David Ryan told the jury the blackmail calls were traced by police to Miah's phone and had been made near his address at the time in nearby Mortimer Crescent.

“Two days before the demand for money Miss Yanni received a call from an unknown number and the caller spoke with an Asian or African accent saying he was a police officer from Holborn Police Station.

“He asked her if she worked in the Kilburn branch of Santander and still lived in Elephant and Castle.

“Two days later, just before 9am, she received another call from this unknown number claiming to be from the bank's regional manager, accusing her and a colleague of stealing fifteen thousand pounds.

“The caller said this is how they were able to buy two new Audi cars,” explained Mr. Ryan. “He was aware Miss Yanni did not have money, but was now in credit.

“She said her mother had transferred twenty thousand pounds into her account in August.”

The mystery caller became angry and the call ended, but later in the day the employee received another call.

“There was a demand that Miss Yanni give him fifteen thousand pounds within forty-eight hours or he would report her to the police and she could go to jail for a couple of years.

“She handed the phone to her manager, who told the caller to contact the fraud team and stop harassing Miss Yanni.”

Miah was arrested in November and replied “no comment” to all police questions.

Homeless Couple's Sex Act For Loose Change: "Sick" Youtube Man Sentenced

A man who posted "very sick" footage on the internet of him demanding a homeless couple perform sex acts, dance and do press-ups in return for loose change received a suspended prison sentence yesterday.

Laughing Adrian Cousins, 24, is heard ordering the man and woman to perform humiliating tasks in a McDonald's car park and says: "Make those motherf****** work for their money. Cheeseburgers, hamburgers, whatever burgers."

The father-of-one, of Mortimer Court, Friern Barnet Lane, Friern Barnet posted the clip on Youtube, Facebook and Twitter with the introduction: "Yo, this is crackheads go wild"

The UPS worker pleaded guilty to intentionally encouraging an offence of outraging public decency at McDonald's, Colindeep Lane, Colindale on June 13 and received twelve months imprisonment, suspended for two years.

Prosecutor Mr. Dipan Varsani told Harrow Crown Court: "The clip lasted seven minutes and Mr. Cousins is in the video and is heard encouraging the female to perform various sexual acts in public.

"He encouraged the lady to expose her breasts while the man kissed them and he encouraged the woman to perform oral sex on the man."

The homeless couple are heard saying they are desperate for money and Cousins replying: "What are you going to do for me to give you whatever coins I have?"

The couple stand in front of Cousins' headlights with the homeless male grinding against the woman as the defendant shouts: "Dance with each other. Slap that arse"

He then adds: "Both of you are going to do ten push-ups, I'm gonna give you money and gonna go…Actually no, 'cos you're a guy twenty. Twenty push-ups bro' twenty"

The couple are heard saying they will do anything "within reason" for money, but are persuaded, despite their obvious reluctance, to perform sexual acts.

Cousins tells them: "Alright, cool. Last thing, you gotta take out your tities. Come in front of the car and I want you to kiss her tities in front of the car…..Properly man!

"Listen, the money is right here, that's the last thing. Listen bro' you want the money? Do you want me to drive off and give you nothing?"

"Yo, give him some head as well. Suck!"

Mr. Varsani added: "Police were made aware of the offence by the national press and Mr. Cousins gave himself up at Colindale Police Station.

"As far as he was concerned it was a joke that went too far and he lost his previous job and is embarrassed."

Recorder Peter Herbert said: "This is really very sick behaviour and not in any world is this a joke. The aggravating element is putting this on Youtube for all to see."

He told Cousins: "Why somebody should seek to exploit the vulnerable you only will know. There is no good explanation why people descend to that behaviour.

"You sought to exploit these two people for your own gratification. It is not a joke and you compounded it by putting it on Youtube.

"There are people out there who sadly find other people's suffering amusing."

Cousins was also ordered to perform 200 hours community service work and attend up to thirty days of a thinking skills programme.

He must pay £200 costs, plus a court charge and victim surcharge.

NHS Lab Technician Downloaded Child And Extreme Porn On Work Computers

An NHS lab technician, who downloaded the most extreme category of pornography onto two health centre computers where he worked, was jailed for twenty months yesterday.

Anil Patel, 42, was employed at north London's Colindale Medical Centre within the Sexually Transmitted Bacteria Reference Laboratory.

He was sacked after an IT contractor discovered illegal pornography involving sick images of children as well as material involving animals within a computer file bearing his name.

Patel, of Charlton Road, Edgware pleaded guilty to three counts of possessing indecent images of children, plus one count of possessing extreme pornographic images at the Colindale Avenue centre. 

Prosecutor Mr. David Baird told Harrow Crown Court: "Mr. Patel was a lab technician employed by the NHS and in June last year outside contractors began working on their desktops and laptop computers.

"On June eleventh one contractor found pornography on a file called 'Anil Patel' and two computers were seized, a desktop and a laptop.

"One of the images involving a young girl was Category A, the most serious type an there was also one Category B and ten images under Category C.

"There were also one hundred and three extreme pornographic images."

Patel was arrested and questioned by police two days later. "He denied accessing or looking at the images."

Patel's lawyer Mr. Jeffrey Shine told the court: "We know from what happened in Rochdale that Asian men do have an issue and Mr. Patel does have a problem with adult pornography.

"The majority of material on these computers was of legal adult pornography.

"He was working in a lab and part of his work was to deal with medical issues arising out of images he analysed, bacterial work.

"He abused the trust of his employers by downloading adult pornography and this sinister diversion, which is the subject of these counts.

"He has gone to his GP and admitted his problem and has sought help for his difficulties.

"This has blighted his marriage, which is all but over and he has not seen his children since his arrest.

"He has lost his job, of course and is on benefits, Employment Support Allowance and Housing Benefit."

Recorder Michael Caplan QC told Patel: "There was a vast amount of pornography held by you, some of it for two years.

"This is a significant period of time and there was an abuse of trust, you being employed by an organisation that allowed you to use computers for work purposes."

Patel was also ordered to sign the sex offenders register for ten years and must pay a £100 victim surcharge.

Christian Holiday Company Boss Accused Of Fraud Over 'Bible Lands Cruise'

The boss of a Christian holiday company, which cancelled a Holy Land cruise, has appeared in court accused of spending customers money on his Turkish hotel.

Robert Flemming, 62, of Selwyn Road, New Malden, who ran Living Sun Ltd and Kyrilios Ltd, allegedly took booking fees totalling £26,000 and failed to reserve places on the ten-day eastern Mediterranean cruise.

He appeared at Lavender Hill Magistrates Court and was sent to Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court for a preliminary hearing on September 21.

Flemming says he has repaid every customer a full refund and retired from the industry after a thirty-year career.

He faces a total of six summonses brought by The Royal Borough of Kingston-upon-Thames's Trading Standards department.

Flemming is accused of failing to provide information to customers of 'Bible Lands Cruise' between January 1 and November 30, last year; two summonses of engaging in misleading commercial practice containing false information; fraud by abuse of position, namely appropriating money for himself and two summonses of carrying on a business with intent to defraud.

Living Sun Ltd is accused of failing to provide information to customers of 'Bible Lands Cruise' and engaging in misleading commercial practice containing false information.

Kyrilios Ltd faces four summonses of engaging in misleading commercial practise containing false information.

Trading Standards began an investigation after a local resident complained of a last-minute cancellation and no refund of a cruise from Turkey to Israel on the 'Thomson Spirit' booked for October 13-22, 2014.

Customers paid a total of £26,000 and were told there money was ATOL-protected, but Trading Standards say it was at risk.

The money was instead used to repair a Turkish hotel Flemming had leased, say the prosecution, and no cruise was ever booked with Thomson.

Flemming is accused of issuing documentation to customers that flights had been booked with Thomson when there was no booking.

He told the magistrates: “I can't afford to go to a solicitor. I'm in the business thirty years and I'm well clued-up with ATOL regulations.”

He insisted he booked two cruises with Thomson, but the second was never properly recorded.

“There was no intention not to book the cruise with Thomson,” he told the court. “The cruise was cancelled because the itinerary was changed by Thomson.”

The cruise was ruined once Thomson canceled two days in Israel because of Gaza rocket attacks and opted to dock in Rhodes instead, he claimed.

Customers totalling 80-100 were planned, but only 26 booked because of new route said Flemming.

“We tried hard to make it viable. Everyone has been refunded, there has been no loses.

“I've not gained personally. I've closed the business down and retired.

“I regret the cruise could not go ahead.

“We ended up paying thirty thousand pounds in refunds.”

The ten-night cruise came at a cost of approximately £1,000 each.

“We have acted at all times in the interests of our customers. We have followed ATOL regulations.”

Hoddie Schoolgirl Predator Has Attacked Twice: E-Fit Released

A knifeman who twice pounced on the same schoolgirl – first demanding her phone then repeatedly hitting her two weeks later – is being hunted by police.

Officers in Wandsworth, south-west London have released this e-fit of the suspect.

The 15 year-old girl was walking along a footpath between Windmill Road and Trinity Road just after 4pm on November 13, last year

The suspect jumped out of bushes in front of her and threatened her with a knife, demanding her mobile phone.

Fortunately he was disturbed by a member of the public walking along the path and fled back into the bushes and escaped.

On Monday, December 1 at approximately 5pm the same girl was walking along Spencer Park after school to a bus stop.

She was suddenly grabbed from behind by the same man who held his gloved hand over her mouth.

The girl bit the man's finger, causing him to release his grip.

He then pushed her to the ground and hit her across the face several times, banging her head across the ground.

Her clothing was cut from where a knife was used.

She was taken to a central London hospital and later discharged.

The man is described as a 16-19 years old black man who was wearing a black rain jacket, black hooded top and blue denim jeans.

He wore a silver chain around his waist, smelt of cigarettes and spoke with a London accent.

Anyone with information should call police on 101, quoting reference: 0323441/14.

Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Keen Hunter Illegally Took Wild Deer Home And Slit Suffering Animal's Throat

Croydon Magistrates Court

A poacher, caught in the wilds of South Croydon dragging a dying deer to his pick-up truck - where he slit its throat - received a suspended prison sentence yesterday. 

Mian Zeshan Shahid, 32, denies shooting the wild deer with one of his powerful telescopic air rifles, but did film himself inflicting the fatal cut and posting images on Facebook.

Shahid, of Wattendon Road, Kenley pleaded guilty to intentionally taking a deer, without the consent of the land owner, in Mitchley Avenue, near Riddlesdown train station on December 23, last year.

He also admitted causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal, namely a deer, by transporting the animal and inexpertly cutting its neck.

Prosecutor Miss Rita Ali told Croydon Magistrates Court it was the day before Christmas Eve when a witness noted the defendant's registration number as he loaded the deer into his truck.

"The defendant was seen taking the deer from a field and the owner had not given permission for him to hunt in the field."

However, there was no evidence to support a criminal charge he killed the deer.

When police arrived at Shahid's home with a search warrant there was no sign of the deer, but they did seize hunting equipment, two air rifles, a telescopic sight, pellets, compressed gas, a lock-knife and tent.

They also discovered the gruesome footage he had taken on his phone and downloaded to his iPad.

Magistrate Mr. Richard Goold told him: "We have seen a copy of the Facebook posting, the content of the pictures and a statement from a vet who says that deer should have been taken to a surgery.

"You brought that animal home alive and you killed that animal in a way that was inhumane. This is a horrendous crime."

Shahid was sentenced to four months imprisonment, suspended for two years, and ordered to complete 200 hours community service.

His lawyer Mr. Ovais Kadri said: "He is of good character and the father of a seven year-old girl. He has got a compassionate side.

"He accepts he should not have taken that deer and should have phoned 999 or contacted the RSPCA.

"The defendant never intended to go out killing any deer, but he does accept taking it away.

"He had no intention of hunting and in the past when he has gone hunting he has done it on ground he was allowed to.

"He is truly mortified. He enjoys the company of animals."

Croydon Wildlife Crimes Officer PC Ian Reeve told the court: The deer was collected from the field and between there and his home, a journey of thirteen minutes, it was killed."

The magistrates also made a forfeiture order regarding Shahid's hunting equipment and he was ordered to pay £85 costs and an £80 victim surcharge.

Bogus Landlord's Dozen-Plus Victims: CCTV Released

Police hunting a bogus landlord suspected of ripping-off over a dozen wannabe tenants have released this CCTV image.

It was taken at a bank, where the heartless conman accompanied one of his innocent victims as she withdrew £4,200 to pay him a rental advance.


Police are aware of 12 victims so far, but believe there may be more.



The bogus landlord gave his name as Mustafa Bhatt, but police believe this is a false identity.

He is described as an Asian man in his 30's with short black hair, a short beard and dark framed glasses. 



Detective Inspector Rita Tierney from Islington CID said: "We have spoken to a number of concerned young adults, some from overseas who have been defrauded of their savings by this unscrupulous man and we are keen to identify him as soon as possible.


"If you recognise this man or have any information about the fraud please call 101 quoting 2721069/14 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."



"If you are about to secure a deposit on a flat, please carry out some basic checks before you hand over your money and your identity.

Bank Account Emptied Of £3,000: Two Suspects Wanted

Police hunting two suspects, who used a stolen credit card to drain almost £3,000 from the victim's account, have released this CCTV image.

The 29 year-old victim was using his card in the early hours of April 4 in Wandsworth Road, Vauxhall when it was taken from him.

Later that day the large withdrawal was taken from the victim's bank account.

The stolen card was then used to withdraw money at a cash point in Fore Street, Edmonton and to later buy goods at The Westfield Shopping Centre, Shepherd's Bush.

Detectives on Lambeth Borough would like the public’s help to identify the two men in the CCTV image.

Anyone with any information should contact the CID at Lambeth on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111, quoting reference 1210585/15.

'Mary Poppins' Nightmare Nanny Nicked Pensioner's iPhone From Church

St. Mark's Church, Wimbledon

A so-called 'Mary Poppins' nanny - serving nine months for stealing from her employers' £4m Belgravia home - has admitted pinching a pensioner churchgoer's iPhone.

Emma Jane Currie, 45, who is currently locked-up in HMP Bronzefield, Surrey still maintains the lie her ex-employer ripped her off and owes her wages.

She was produced from the prison and appeared in the secure dock at Wimbledon Magistrates Court wearing a pink cardigan and pink and blue floral scarf.

She pleaded guilty to stealing the £300 phone, belonging to 82 year-old Pamela Royle, at St. Mark's Church, St. Mark's Place, Wimbledon on February 4, this year.

In June she was jailed at the Old Bailey for withdrawing £900 cash from the bank card of her employer, 41 year-old Zoe Appleyard-Ley and trying to take another £400.

Her lawyer Mr. Michael Sprack told the court: “The reason for the severe sentence was she stole from her employers and there was animosity. She was owed money by her employer.”

Prosecutor Miss Mary Atere said Currie was arrested as a suspected burglar when squatting in a Wimbledon property on March 20.

When searched at Sutton Police Station Mrs Royal's iPhone was found on her, which the victim had last seen at the church, where Currie was a regular.

"This defendant was there helping out," explained Miss Atere. “The complainant was afraid the person who had the phone would find out where she was.

“There were a lot of homeless people at the church.”

Mr. Sprack said: “My client attended the church on a regular basis and found the phone and took it. There was no hint of confrontation.

“There was no attempt to use the phone.

“My client was of no fixed abode and had been for some time. She was arrested for squatting.

“On the sentence she is serving she has two weeks to serve, but there is a possibility of a custodial sentence in this matter.

“She was working for the person who was the complainant as a nanny/housekeeper.

“There was a dispute and she was owed a large amount of money from that person. The conviction is for taking money from that person.

“Her employer had threatened her with bad references.”

Magistrates adjourned the case until September 11 for a pre-sentence report and chairwoman Mrs Catherine Gibson told Currie: “We're looking at a community order, but we are not making any promises.

“It is in your interests to co-operate. We believe you will benefit from some structure to tour life when you are released from prison.”

Investment banker Mrs Appleyard-Ley - who worked for Rothschild Ventures and Durlacher Ventures - was made to regret hiring Currie via internet site 'Gumtree' to live and work at her Chester Row property.

She told the Old Bailey of her “earth-shattering pain and sense of betrayal” at the hands of Currie.

She only realised something was amiss when Currie did not bring her a cup of tea in bed and then allegedly found her jewellery, laptop and iPad were missing from her home.

The former City high-flyer found her designer handbag containing her bank cards was gone and her car was missing from the drive.

Currie was accused of using her boss's stolen credit card to rack up bills of around £1,000 at several high street stores, including Oliver Bonas, Boots, Superdrug and Monsoon.

The court heard a total of £89,000 worth of stolen property was recovered, but another £81,000, including a Cartier watch, has never been found.

Mrs Appleyard-Ley is separated from her husband Sven Ley - a self-employed art dealer whose family founded fashion label Escada.

She hired Currie in May, 2013 to assist looking after her two children, aged four and six and assist the running of Life Neurological Research Trust, a charity launched in memory of her aunt Baroness Ziki Wharton, who died from Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.

Currie was still driving around in the Mercedes ML350 - bought by the family nine days earlier - when police pulled her over near Gatwick.

After her arrest, Currie told police she took the car as her employer owed her £1,600 in wages, adding that she had worked for three weeks without a day off.

She told the court the figure included 'overtime, working seven day weeks without a break for three weeks and also holiday pay'.

She went on to claim she had consent to drive the Mercedes to the south coast to look for a mobile home to live in after handing in her notice to Mrs Appleyard-Ley on the agreement she would return.

She described the allegation she had stolen jewellery as “preposterous”, adding: “My personal feeling is that this is in the guise of getting a nice insurance claim for the person involved, the employer.”

She claimed: “This whole thing is a bit of a hoax with the jewellery because I've never seen expensive jewellery.”

Giving evidence, Currie also explained she had clothes from the Appleyard-Ley home in the Mercedes because she had been asked to take them to be dry cleaned.

She said that she had bought goods using her employer's credit card in shops such as Oliver Bonas because she had been asked to buy presents for her children's teachers and friends.

Currie made a series of allegations against her boss during the trial, claiming she took cocaine and even had Nazi memorabilia in her home.

Two days after she was pulled over she made a bogus child abuse complaint to social services, accusing Mrs Appleyard-Ley of slapping her son.

The jury had failed to reach verdicts on counts of attempted theft, three of fraud and one of attempted fraud.

Judge Mark Lucraft said: “Emma-Jane Currie you were employed by Mrs Appleyard-Ley following a posting on Gumtree.

“She met you, interviewed you and took you on as a live-in nanny, for home help and to help run her charity.

“You started working for her on 20 May and worked for her and her family through to mid-June.”

He added: “On Monday, 17 June, you left the Appleyard-Ley home that morning before Mrs Appleyard-Ley was up.

“You took and used a bank card, you checked the balance and you then withdrew £900 cash and attempted to take £200 from the same cashpoint and when that didn't work you tried another cashpoint.

“When Mrs Appleyard-Ley realised her car and belongings were gone she called the phone number for you but you didn't respond.

“You were arrested the following day at about midday near Gatwick Airport.

“It is unclear where you went from the time of leaving London and your arrest.

“In that period of time £500 of the £900 you took had gone, your account as to what you did in that period of time simply doesn't stack up.

“In this trial you sought to distract the jury by making very serious allegations about Mrs Appleyard-Ley, that she drank to excess and was taking drugs.

“You also said she had lied about your actions to make a false insurance claim and made allegations of her abusing her children.

“That last allegation led to the involvement of social services who concluded that it was without foundation and malicious.

“Social services said you failed to assist them in the investigation.

“You also sought to implicate the police by claiming they took the missing £500 cash when you were detained.

“Mrs Appleyard-Ley spoke powerfully about the impact not only of the theft but the trial process and the impact of the false allegations about her personal conduct.

“The impact of this will be long lasting on her, particularly that she had placed a high degree of trust for you to live in her home and care for her children.'

The judge continued: “This was theft was committed in breach of a high degree of trust, it's difficult to think of a higher degree of trust.

“You were employed by Mrs Appleyard-Ley in trust of her children, home and some finances.

“In light of the nature of the breach of trust, the way suspicion was thrown on others and the way you sought to argue this case it is not appropriate to suspend the sentence.”

Currie was also handed a restraining order not to contact the victim or any of her close family members.

Drug User Misses Mum's Funeral To Answer Court Charge

A drug-user, caught by police in the middle of the night high on 'speed', had to skip his mother's funeral in his native Aberdeenshire yesterday to appear in court, where he admitted the offence.

Jobless Iain Liddle Hay, 51, of Nether Davah Court, Inverurie was seen by police emerging from trees on Wandsworth Common, south-west London at 4.15am and stopped and searched.

He pleaded guilty at Wimbledon Magistrates Court to possessing three small bags of amphetamine on July 30 and was conditionally discharged for eighteen months and ordered to pay a £180 court charge and £15 victim surcharge.

Prosecutor Miss Mary Atere told the court: “He was seen rolling a bag and walking out of a wooded area and it was clear he was under the influence of drugs.

“Officers found four plastic snap bags containing white crystals and three of them were confirmed to be amphetamine at a quantity consistent with personal use.

“Because of his condition Mr. Hay could not be interviewed.”

The court was told the defendant has three police cautions for drug offences and one previous fine for possessing amphetamine.

Hay told the court: “My mother died last week and her funeral was today. Unfortunately I could not go because of this court case.

“I've pleaded guilty, I had the drugs on me. I am not an addict although I do use drugs recreationally.

“I have not taken any illegal substances since. I've given them up completely.

“I am in a trough in my personal life, I'm looking for work and have no income and I have had some mental health issues.”

Hay has been out of work for two years. “I've been living on savings, on my redundancy and a friend has been putting me up.

“I have not signed-on and I am relying on the charity of friends.”

Bench Chairwoman Mrs Catherine Gibson told a tearful Hay: “We have heard your remorse and that you are taking steps to redress your problems.”

Rogue Estate Agent Who Ripped-Off Tenants, Staff And Landlords Finally Locked-Up

A rogue estate agent, who fled the country after stealing over £48,000 in tenants' deposits, was jailed for twenty months yesterday.

Manish Manek, 54, who also ripped-off landlords, his own staff and other creditors, only returned when he thought a bankruptcy petition had wiped the slate clean.

“These offences were committed repeatedly and you consciously decided to use other people's money and caused a lot of misery,” Judge Michael Hunter told him at Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court.

One widow, who entrusted Manek with her rental portfolio had to repay tenants £14,000 out of her own pocket and another landlord complained of “anxiety” and “sleepless nights.”

Manek, of Springfield House, Mill Lane, Taplow, Maidenhead pleaded guilty to seventeen counts of theft, totalling £48,716.

He is now claiming Jobseekers Allowance and renting a room in a shared house.

Prosecutor Miss Amanda Bostock told the court three members of his own staff at Kingston’s 'Je Je Barons' reported him to police on October 16, 2012.

“Staff had received calls from tenants that their deposits had not been registered with the Deposit Protection Scheme.

“They had been paid straight into the defendant's personal bank account.”

He told staff he was going into hospital to have a tumour removed form his liver, but in reality sold up his house and fled with his wife and young daughter to India.

He left behind staff and creditors, who were owed £18,500.

Manek was arrested at Heathrow Airport when he returned to the UK on September 24, last year.

None of the stolen money has been recovered and Manek is now subject to a Proceeds of Crime Act investigation.

His lawyer Mr. Russell Fraser told the court the economic downturn of 2008 was the start of Manek's troubles.

“He moved the money around to pay rent and wages and was stealing from Peter to pay Paul.”

Manek's wife, who works for Kingston council, was supporting him in court.

“This is a bad example of breach of trust,” Judge Hunter told the first-time offender. “You were entrusted to hold other people's money in a professional capacity and you stole that money.

“I would be failing in my duty to protect the public by not passing an immediate custodial sentence today.”

Detective Constable Paul Lawlor, from Kingston CID, said: “Manek stole from the very people who were paying him to manage their properties and keep his business running.

“He blamed his criminal activities on his huge debt, his ill health and the health of family members.

“Regardless what his personal circumstance may have been, it does not justify resorting to criminal activities thinking it is an easy route out.

“Because of his actions, Manek is not only serving a custodial sentence in jail but has also lost the reputation he once had within his community.”

Perverting The Course Of Justice: Man In Court

A St. Neots man, accused of perverting the course of justice by sending two letters, which attempted to persuade the recipient not to co-operate with a prosecution, appeared in court yesterday.

Michael James McAllister, 47, of Lees Lane, Southoe was bailed by Hendon Magistrates Court in north-west London.

He is charged with committing the offence between February 20 and March 6, with intent to dissuade VIW from assisting with a prosecution.

No details of the allegation were revealed and magistrates immediately sent the case to Harrow Crown Court, where McAllister will appear for a preliminary hearing on September 18.

He was bailed on condition he does not contact a Stuart Wells and resides at his recorded address.

Bus Ticket Inspector Attacked: CCTV Released

Police are hunting this bus passenger, who attacked a ticket inspector when asked to prove he had paid his fare.

Officers from the Roads and Transport Policing Command are investigating and have released this CCTV image.

The Revenue Protection Inspector, 32, was checking fares on a 207 bus in Uxbridge Road, Hanwell at 12.20pm on January 7.

The inspector was grabbed by the Somalian suspected fare-dodger and several punches were aimed at him.

He sustained scratches to his arm and soreness to his face and did not require hospital treatment.

The suspect is described as a about 5ft 8ins aged between 35 to 40 years-old, of very slim build and wearing a denim jacket.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Constable Gavin Staplehurst on 020 3054 4457 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, quoting ref: 169298.

Foul-Mothed Bus Passenger: CCTV Image Released

Police have released this CCTV image of a foul-mouthed bus passenger, who abused the driver in east London.

The suspect boarded the 372 bus in Bridge Road, Rainham – which was travelling between Hornchurch and Lakeside - at 2.45pm on May 4.

He quickly became abusive and threatened the 38 year-old male driver.

The suspect is described as a white man, slim and aged about 60 years-old with dark grey short hair, round glasses and wearing workman style clothing.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Constable Bevely Clapp, from the Roads and Transport Policing Command, on 07825 386 484 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 quoting ref: 178821.