Boozy Guest Stabbed Pal In Throat

A drunken guest, who stabbed a pal through the Adam's apple after demanding cash, has been locked-up for four years and four months.

Toader-Marius Morosan, 38, of Marsh Lane, Stanmore, pleaded guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm on the 53-year-old man at an address in Constable Gardens, Edgware.

Harrow Crown Court heard Morosan had visited relatives at the address on May 27, where the victim also lived.

Morosan was drunk and demanded a sum of money from the victim.

The victim told Morosan he did not have any cash.

Later that day, at around 5.30pm, Morosan entered the kitchen where the victim was washing up and suddenly picked up a knife and stabbed him in the throat.

The London Ambulance Service was called, and paramedics treated the victim's wound.

He was taken to hospital and received stitches. He has since recovered from his injuries.

A witness in the kitchen grabbed Morosan as he lunged with the knife, potentially preventing more serious injury.

Morosan fled the scene but was later arrested at his home address.

When interviewed Morosan tried to play the attack off as a joke that went too far.

Detective Constable Amin Kohzadbayat of Barnet CID said: "Morosan's violent tendencies were brought out by his alcohol consumption.

“On this occasion the victim is lucky to be alive as the knife penetrated his Adam's apple, and was only stopped as a witness intervened."

Brute Gets Six Years For Jealous Frying Pan Attack On Girlfriend

A jealous boyfriend has been caged for six years for a brutal frying pan attack on his partner after he caught her texting in the middle of the night.

Hugh Nelson, 53, of Mayfield Road, Hornsey, was convicted at Snaresbrook Crown Court.

The court heard Nelson became enraged when he realised his 35 year-old girlfriend had texted someone at 5.30am on Sunday, March 12.

He demanded to know who she had messaged and unsatisfied by her response, began slapping her before pinning her to the ground.

As the victim desperately tried to break free, Nelson grabbed a ceramic frying pan and struck her with full force over 20 times.

This caused the victim to bleed, swell and be in pain in all the attacked areas.

Nelson then carried on hitting her on the head and also stamped on her legs and ankles, repeatedly asking her who she had been texting.

He left the property in Tower Hamlets, east London after the attack and was arrested by police the next day.

The victim was taken to hospital and treated for her injuries and has since been discharged.

The investigation by police would also uncover two other assaults in November 2016 when Nelson had slapped the victim.

Nelson was found guilty of these two offences also and was jailed for eight months which he will serve concurrently with the GBH sentence.

Detective Sergeant Robert Brown from Tower Hamlets said: "Nelson proudly exhibited many of the signs of a highly successful life whilst hiding a violent, abusive and controlling character.

“He behaved savagely towards his long term partner on a regular basis for many years, she has been left traumatised by the experience, but I hope this sentence goes some small way to aiding her recovery."

Dragon's Den Accountant Forged £33,000 During Audacious Cheque Fraud

Dragon’s Den stars Peter Jones and Theo Paphitis were ripped-off by a crooked accountant at the company they own in a £33,000 forged cheques fraud.

They run Red Letter Days - a company specialising in experience days vouchers as gifts and corporate rewards - where employee Akilan Selvathiravam, 34, worked as their finance officer.

The married dad-of-one, of Church Drive, Kingsbury pleaded guilty to fraud by abuse of position between January 1, 2016 and February 20, this year.

The Den duo bought the company out of administration after it had been founded by former-Dragon Rachel Elnaugh and ran into financial difficulties.

Qualified chartered accountant Selvathiravam was employed at the company’s head office at 100 High Street, Southgate, north London.

Prosecutor Miss Linda Shamel told Wood Green Crown Court: “He was entrusted with the safekeeping of cheques and money in the safe.

“He falsified the cheques and forged the signatures, claiming they were corporate refunds and then cashing them individually at the bank.”

Selvathiravam was exposed by a company internal audit in February. “There were a large number of cheques falsified and put through the system,” added the prosecutor.

“CCTV evidence shows the defendant cashing cheques in branches of Barclays Bank.”

He defrauded a total of £32,955.99 and relatives have rallied around to repay the sum.

Selvathiravam was reported to the police by the company and arrested and quizzed. “He admitted he falsified the cheques  because he had a gambling addiction.”

The court heard Red Letters Days have not reported him to The Institute of Chartered Accountants (ICAS) and he attended a job interview with a bank shortly before the court hearing.

“His former employers support his continued employment in the financial sector and a glowing reference has been provided,” said Mr. Brad Lawlor, defending.

“Family members have grouped together to pay the full amount. He was desperate, he’s been struggling with a gambling addiction and been to rehab.”

Judge Joanna Greenberg QC announced: “This was a breach of trust over a considerable period of time.

“Not only does it cross the custody threshold, but custody remains the most likely outcome.”

Bailing Selvathiravam until August 23 for a probation report the judge added: “The defendant must not go away under any illusion that even if he’s going to pay the compensation he will walk free.

“This undoubtedly was  serious offence and normally you would go to prison today, but I’m prepared to look at all options.” she told the first-time offender.

Red Letter Days have been fully compensated by Barclays.

Somali Refugee Claimed £39,000 In Benefits While Living In His Homeland

A Somalian refugee continued receiving nearly £39,000 in benefits after returning to his homeland because he missed the sunshine.

Pensioner Mohamed Qoomaal, 71, had pension credit payments sent to him for two-and-a-half years and a mystery person enjoyed rent-free living in his £200,000 council-funded home.

He even forged an immigration stamp on his British passport in a failed attempt to trick investigators into accepting he had been residing in the UK.

Incredibly Qoomaal, of Archery Close, Harrow continues to receive benefits, minus a £44 per-week deduction to compensate the Department of Work and Pensions.

At that rate it will take Qoomaal, who also burdens the NHS with heart and renal issues, seventeen years to repay the £38,869.97p total.

Despite arriving in the this country fifteen years ago he also needed a taxpayer-funded interpreter during the court hearing.

“Why does he live here? Why is he entitled to benefits? What’s he doing here?” asked Isleworth Crown Court Judge Jonathan Ferris.

“He can’t have made much of a contribution to the pension credit he is receiving.”

Qoomaal pleaded guilty to two counts of dishonestly failing to notify a change of circumstances regarding Pension Credit and Housing Benefit between August 20, 2013 and February 22, 2016.

“He failed to notify the fact he was living abroad in Somalia and in order to mislead investigators he fabricated an immigration stamp in his passport,” said prosecutor Miss Lisa Matthews.

The court heard Qoomaal wanted to live in a warmer climate for health benefits and only returned to the UK when he heard he was wanted for questioning.

“He left the UK on an open ticket and did not return. He gave the keys to his privately-rented flat to a third party, who lived there while he was abroad,” added the prosecutor.

When quizzed Qoomaal tried to lie his way out of trouble, but finally confessed when his legal representative informed him the evidence was overwhelming.

He currently receives a large quantity of free prescription medication and has a series of hospital appointments with departments specialising in cardiology, dialysis and infectious diseases.

“He also has problems with his legs,” said Qoomaal’s lawyer Miss Mariska Van Leeuwen. “He had a heart attack last year and another this year and he has a vast amount of medication with him.”

Qoomaal claimed asylum on the basis he was in danger in his homeland, but this did not prevent his return trip.

“He’s just gone back there, how does that work?” asked Judge Ferris. “He came here as a refugee fifteen years ago and then goes back to Somalia to enjoy the nice weather.

“Someone was living in his flat that the public purse paid for or it was rented out.

“I don’t see why a person who took nearly thirty-nine thousand pounds and went to another country and fabricated an immigration stamp on his passport should not go to prison immediately.”

Boomaal was bailed to return to court on August 23.

Benefit-Cheat Somalian Refugee Sent Daughters To Private School

A Somalian mother-of-five used some of the proceeds of a £102,000 benefit fraud to send her two eldest daughters to a private boarding school.

Refugee Shukri Yusuf, 45, of Waterside Close, Southall claimed she was a struggling single-mum while living with her bus driver husband Omar Jama Tarabi.

She protested her innocence, but on the first day of her trial eventually pleaded guilty to three counts of failing to notify a change in her circumstances between June, 2008 and April, 2014.

The counts relate to dishonest claims for income support, housing benefit and council tax.

Yesterday at Isleworth Crown Court she was sentenced to twenty-six weeks imprisonment, suspended for two years and ordered to complete 175 hours community service work.

Yusuf entered the UK in 1999 and complains that during the swindle she was forced to raise her family in one room accommodation.

Two of her daughters enjoyed a private education and the eldest is now at teacher training college, with her younger sister completing sixth-form studies.

“Your husband is a bus driver and his income was never declared. These crimes funded a lifestyle, big luxuries like a car and private school fees,” Judge Jonathan Ferris told her.

CPS Lawyer Convicted Of Double Assault On Her Mother-In-Law

Guilty: Anne Murgai

A Crown Prosecution Service lawyer flung her 69 year-old mother-in-law onto a sofa shouting: “If you open your mouth I’ll cut your throat,” a court heard.

Anne Murgai, 42, dominated the £375,000 house her husband bought with his mother and put the pensioner in fear of another assault the next day.

She was convicted of both incidents, despite fighting the case during an all-day trial and will be sentenced on August 16.

“She did not want me to come, she did not like my presence,” petite Usha Kariholoo told Croydon Magistrates Court, who said she was attacked during a row over chores.

“She came to me and said: ‘I’ll show you,’ and pushed me three times and fortunately I fell on the sofa. I could have fallen on the floor for all she cared.

“She hit me two or three times on the shoulder and said: ‘I’ll kill you.’ I was shivering.”

The pensioner had just bought the house with son Rakesh Kariholoo, 45, for his wife and son Andrew, 2, and were joined by Murgai’s 80 year-old mother.

Murgai, of Ridgewell Close, Lower Sydenham was found guilty of assaulting Usha at the matrimonial home at nearby

Elfrida Crescent on September 26 and 27, last year.

She shook her head in the dock of the courthouse, where she has prosecuted hundreds of cases as the magistrates announced their decision.

Sofa: Usha Kariholoo

Usha told the trial: “I was not allowed to touch or feed the child and there were arguments between her and Rakesh, with her telling him: ‘You don’t do this and you don’t do that.’

“I told her Rakesh is doing enough and she should help him. She was not working, she was sitting at home all day and did not like that I called her a housewife.

“Rakesh had two jobs at the time and she was telling him: ‘You don’t do the garden, you don’t do the toilets.’

“I told her Rakesh is doing everything and she should also help and that it was very honourable to be a housewife, but that created a reaction.”

The “housewife” remark triggered the assault, said Usha, denying Murgai’s claim she kicked her three times in the stomach while shouting and swearing aggressively.

The next day Usha was hanging her son’s laundry in the back garden. “She had a fist and I knew she was going to push me again, she tried to push me.

“She said: ‘I’ll show you,’ and came forward. If I fell on the ground I could have broken my head.”

Usha told the court she heard Murgai tell her husband: “When you’re not here you’ll see what I’ll do to your mum.”

Hubby: Rakesh Kariholoo

Rakesh slept on a downstairs couch and left his mother in a hotel while he was at work, calling the police eight days later.

“I did not want to call the police, it was my son’s idea,” said Usha. “He couldn’t take it any longer.” 

Rakesh witnessed both assaults and said: “The first time she was shaking and pushing her at the same time.

“The next day in the garden my mum was shouting: ’Please neighbours help me, she’s going to kill me.”

Murgai told the court her husband and his mother physically tried to push her out of the house and twice snatched a phone out of her hand when she tried to call 999.

“It’s a load of nonsense, it’s all lies. I was told in a lie the house was for myself, Rakesh and Andrew.

“She was shouting, swearing and being abusive while she was putting the laundry out. It was a set-up by her, she knows there’s CCTV in the garden.

“That home was a toxic environment and Usha wants to control her son and married life. She sees her life as with Rakesh, she’s married to him.”

The lawyer said Usha told her: “I will slit your throat and kill you if you don’t get out of the house.”

Murgai now lives with her mother and has objected to her ex-husband having any contact with Andrew.

Woman Hunted For Vicious Attack On Dog-Walking OAP

A pensioner using her mobility scooter to walk her dog was attacked and left with horrific facial injuries by a female mugger.

Catherine Smith, 82, was strangled with the pet’s lead inside the doorway of her Streatham Hill home in south London four days ago and police are still hunting the suspect.

As she arrived home at 1.00pm after walking the dog in nearby Palace Road Nature Gardens she was confronted by a five-foot five black woman, wearing a khaki-coloured coat and sporting multi-coloured trainers.

It is believed the suspect has followed the lone lady from the park.

The suspect sat Catherine’s wall and repeatedly asked for money and kept saying: “Where’s Tracey?”

The OAP does not know any Tracey and did not hand over any money and shut her front door on the woman.

However, the suspect asked to use the toilet and became even more aggressive when refused, pushing open the door, which caused Catherine to fall back and strike her head.

The suspect wrapped the dog lead around the pensioner’s neck and started strangling her before fleeing in an unknown direction.

Shocked witnesses responded to Catherine’s calls for help and dialled 999 when they saw her covered in blood.

She was rushed to hospital with serious injuries and has been discharged.

The suspect is also described as being of slim build with slicked-back black hair and wearing tights.

Detective Constable Vicky Vincent of Lambeth CID said: “This was a vicious, unprovoked attack on an elderly vulnerable woman’s own front door. The attack has left her very distressed.

“We believe the suspect spotted Catherine in Palace Road Nature Gardens and for unknown reasons decided to follow her home, harass her and then brutally assault her.

“We would encourage anyone with information or any witnesses to contact us as a matter of urgency so we can bring the person responsible for this heinous crime to justice.”

Anyone with information or witnesses should contact Lambeth CID on 07785774447 or 101 or tweet to ©MetCC.

Information can be reported anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800555111.

Torturer Who Poured Boiling Water Over Girlfriend Caged

A vicious thug, who tortured a young woman with boiling water during a “savage and cruel attack” has been locked-up for fifteen years.

Fiston Onyumbe, 32, inflicted horrific injuries on the 20 year-old victim, who was left with burns, a fractured skull, jaw and eye socket and damaged pelvis and spine.

He tied her up and ripped her clothes off at his home in Pymmes Close, Tottenham after the pair went to a nightclub that evening.

Onyumbe was originally charged with attempted murder, but pleaded guilty at the Old Bailey to the lesser charge of causing grievous bodily harm, with intent.

During the attack on January 21 the woman jumped from Onyumbe's first-floor window as he re-filled the kettle, but he dragged her back inside, beating her as he did.

Police were called to reports of a violent domestic at 8.17am and in a bedroom they found the victim lying on the floor covered with a blanket, semi-conscious, injured and asking for help.

Onyumbe immediately became violent and assaulted the officers and it eventually took six officers to restrain and arrest him.

The victim, who had also lost a lot of blood, was taken to hospital suffering extensive injuries, including 35% third-degree burns across her body.

The victim told detectives she had gone to a nightclub in Dalston with Onyumbe.

His attack on her started outside the club after he strangled her following an argument.

Onyumbe then took her to the flat in Pymmes Close where he tied her up and ripped her clothes off.

Over the course of the next three hours - until police arrived - he proceeded to torture her; burning her with cigarettes and boiling water from a kettle, and punching her head, face and body.

After she tried to escape he repeatedly banged her head on the communal stairs and pushed his fist into her mouth until she lost consciousness.

Detective Inspector Fareed Mirza, from Haringey CID, said:“This was a particularly savage and cruel attack undertaken by a violent man who has preyed on and abused a weak and vulnerable young woman for a protracted period of time.

“Onyumbe’s actions were calculated, brutal and shocking.

“The sentence he has received today reflects this, but the physical and psychological injuries to the victim will still take a long time to heal."

NOT GUILTY: Mum-Of-Three In Custody Fight Cleared Of Breaching Court Order

Cleared: Clare Gregg

A mum-of-three involved in a bitter child custody dispute with her sister has been cleared of breaching a court order after her sibling failed to appear for the trial.

Freelance writer Clare Gregg, 55, of Stockton Road, Hartlepool continues to protest her sister has any right to have custody of the twelve, fourteen and sixteen year-old.

She appeared at Croydon Magistrates Court charged with breaching a non-molestation order on April 21 be texting her sister Kathryn McAdam-Freud, who lives in Peckham.

Gregg is prohibited from making any contact with her sister following a Family Court ruling.

However, Mrs McAdam-Freud did not appear to give evidence and Gregg – who has always denied the charge – was found not guilty when the prosecution failed to proceed.

The alleged text was made a few weeks after Gregg was fined £180, with £450 costs for assaulting her sister near her £1.3m south London home.

She admitted shoving Mrs McAdam-Freud and taking off her spectacles.

The non-molestation order remains until November 20, 2022.

Gregg maintains the court order is unlawful and believes her children should live with her.

PTA Treasurer Was Caught Pinching Thousands.....And Did It Again!

The treasurer of a primary school’s PTA, who was caught stealing £19,625 and then did it again, has received a suspended prison sentence.

Jennifer Carribon, 49, was also employed at Streatham’s Hitherfield Primary School as a breakfast and after-school helper.

Over a period of three years she stole cash and cheques entrusted to her, but after being forced to resign her role and offered counselling she took another £1,375.

First-time offender Carribon, of Goodhew Road, Woodside, Croydon pleaded guilty to stealing a total of £21,000 between October 1, 2013 and December 21, last year.

At Inner London Crown Court she was sentenced to twelve months imprisonment, suspended for two years and ordered to perform 150 hours community service work.

Carribon, who is the sole carer for two young relatives and receives working tax credits and child benefit, must also pay £7,800 compensation to the PTA over the next three years.

“It was her responsibility to bank both cash and cheques, but she began stealing very soon after she took on the role,” said prosecutor Miss Emily Watts.

An internal investigation was launched after an £8,000 PTA cheque bounced , resulting in Carribon paying-back £5,100 and admitting she was stealing.

The school did not inform the police, instead offering the defendant counselling.

“She was given a chance, but stole again when given a bag containing cash and cheques for the PTA,” added the prosecutor.

Carribon told the court: “It’s nothing I’m proud of and I am embarrassed and upset.”

Recorder Alex Gordon said: “You were appointed treasurer and were in charge of funds and immediately started stealing funds over three years.

“You further stole monies rather than right your wrong and that aggravates your offending.

“You breached a high degree of trust. You were given responsibility to look after these funds and instead stole them.

“That’s stealing from children. Their welfare and education.”

NOT GUILTY: Intellectual Pal Of French President Macon Cleared Of Assaulting Ex-Wife

Mathieu and new wife Alix

A leading entrepreneur and liberal intellectual - who is a confidante to new French president Emmanuel Macron - has been cleared of assaulting his ex-wife and a 10 year-old boy at his £7.7m Kensington home.

Qualified lawyer Mathieu Laine, 42, was accused of grabbing the arm of former wife Eleanore Salin, 40, and pulling her during a Boxing Day domestic last year.

Father-of-three Laine, of Palace Gardens Terrace was found not guilty at Hammersmith Magistrates Court of two counts of assault on December 26, 2016.

The founder of consultancy firm Altermind and UK sister company Hypermind arrived at court with new wife Alix Foriel-Destezet, the daughter of French billionaire Philippe Foriel-Destezet.

Mother-of-two Ms Salin, also a qualified lawyer, had arrived at the property in a Uber cab with the young boy, who was due to go on holiday to Morocco with Laine the next day.

Laine, who has lectured in economics and political philosophy at Sciences Po, Paris - known as Paris Institute of Political Studies - claims his ex has an agenda for bringing the charges.

Ex: Eleanore

Prosecutor Mr. Ciaran Cronin told the court: “He pulled Ms Salin forcefully away by the arm.”

The young boy was carried into the house by Laine, the court heard. “He was hit on the back of his legs with an open palm while the boy was running about while calling him a: ‘Little shit’ or words to that effect.”

Laine’s lawyer Miss Orla Daly told the court: “There is a motivation behind what we say is a false allegation.”

The court announced it found Laine to be a “credible” witness, contrary to his ex-wife and dismissed all claims he assaulted the boy.

Eleanor had exaggerated the domestic incident, describing it as "like a move scene".

She claimed she was forced to flee along the street, desperately calling out for help from neighbours and passers-by.

BBC Manager Who Defrauded £155K Jailed For Three Years

A BBC manager has been jailed for three years for planning a £155,000 fraud because he felt “overworked” and “undervalued”.

Lee Richardson, 52, was a Frameworks Contracts Manager, responsible for awarding work to firms tasked with the upkeep of the broadcaster’s huge property portfolio.

However, the school governor, who also served with Ofsted, founded Sentinal Services and paid himself for non-existent work - signing-off twelve separate invoices.

The married father-of-three, of Alexandra Drive, Surbiton pleaded guilty to one count of fraud by abuse of position between October 6, 2009 and February 22, 2011.

Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court heard an audit after Richardson had left the BBC exposed the fraud.

“He was responsible for work to be carried out to the BBC estate and it was his job to select these tendered contracts,” said prosecutor Mr. Stephen Apted.

Sentinal was registered on September 9, 2009 and almost immediately Richardson was paying the company for work never carried out.

“That company was set up and registered for the sole purpose of committing these frauds.”

Richardson was Sentinal’s director and his wife Debra the company secretary and he twice refused to answer police questions after his arrest on November 15, 2015.

He has now fully repaid the BBC and after paying tax originally is now £25,000 down on the fraud.

“He has taken full responsibility. He felt aggrieved, overlooked, overworked and undervalued and saw gaps in the system and took advantage,” said his lawyer Anna McKenzie.

“He fully accepts what he did was wrong and bitterly regrets what he has done.”

Richardson has a construction and engineering background. “He has ruined his personal and professional reputation and is deeply ashamed of what he has done.”

Judge Sarah Plaschkes QC told bearded Richardson, whose wife and mother were in court: “You were employed by the BBC, a public body.

“You were promoted and were required to be independent and impartial, but these invoices were bogus.

“No work has been carried out and that company was created at the same time you were promoted.

“This was a sophisticated fraud in setting-up the company and using it to produce and submit invoices, it required planning.

“This was a calculated, sustained and sophisticated fraud, abusing your position to defraud a public institution.”

GULTY: Bogus Special Forces War Hero Facing Jail For £111K Swindle

Who Dares Swindles: Mark Fitt

A fake SAS Colonel was convicted yesterday of stealing and swindling £111,137 from two girlfriends, a retired chief superintendent and an investor.

Ladies man Mark Fitt, 43, described by one ex as “charming and charismatic” wowed his victims with tall tales of serving in the special forces and French Foreign Legion.

He was dating a policewoman while stealing from another girlfriend, who he convinced his company - N49 Intelligence - was going to make a fortune in the Middle-East and Africa.

Fitt, of James Terrace, Mortlake was found guilty of stealing £33,690 from business analyst Hilary Davies, 57, and £45,874 from interior designer Tracey Saunders, 45.

He was also convicted of defrauding retired police chief superintendent Mark Veljovic, 59, of £30,000 and stealing £1600 from investor Oliver Tonkin.

Fitt, who says he comes from a military family and served six years in the Queen’s Dragoon Guards, will be sentenced on September 15 and even his lawyer Robert Ellison said: “He’s clearly facing a prison sentence.”

Deceived: Hilary Davies

Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court heard Fitt would hold court in the pubs of leafy Barnes, south-west London, where he charmed all of his victims.

He claimed to be an expert in kidnapping and extortion with large companies and insurers willing to pay £200,000-£300,000 per quarter for his skills in troublespots like Libya and Somalia.

“I thought he was very charming, his voice was quite hypnotic and I trusted him as a nice character,” said Ms Davies. “I was hoping it would be a relationship at one point.”

Ms Saunders told the jury: “I was very worried about him, his stress levels and financial situation. I cared about him and wanted to help.”

While dating Ms Saunders Fitt was seeing policewoman Zoe Richardson and defrauded her housemate, Mr. Veljovic.

One witness told the court Fitt sported a regimental tie in the pub one Remembrance Sunday and proudly displayed nine service medals, some SAS, for service in Iraq and Afghanistan.

However, Fitt denied this, explaining: “They were fake, they were not real and I had them when I dressed up as Colonel Gadaffi at a fancy dress party.”

Tricked: Tracey Saunders

Ms Davis explained: “He said he was a specialist with UK special forces and the UK security services.

“He was very persuasive and I felt empathy towards him. I still had funds in my limited company and felt I wanted to help him and felt that he was building up his future.”

Ms Davies told the court their relationship revolved around meetings and conversations. When asked if it was a sexual relationship she replied: “Not very actively.”

Within weeks Fitt was asking her for cash to tide his business over. “He was a confident person and gave me the impression he had money in the past.

“I wanted to help him and he was very charismatic,” explained Ms Davies, who also paid Fitt’s rent and what she believed were flights to overseas business meetings.

She funded his non-existent speaking engagement at a London Expo after being impressed by his ‘Project Phoebe’ business plan.

“The revenue forecasts ran into several millions of pounds. This was dishonest and to persuade her and other people to give money,” said prosecutor Mr. Tim Starkey.

She bumped into Fitt at a local cafe in March, 2013. “He was with another woman and wanted to blank me.

Conned: Mark Veljovic

“I was so angry I just spluttered out: ‘Where’s my money. I want my money back.’

“He said I was hassling him and that I was a stalker and he was going to call the police.”

Witnesses mentioned three other women Fitt was seeing at different times during the period and he is now engaged to another woman he runs a publishing company with.

He told Ms Saunders - who knew him as ‘Charlie’ - he had PTSD and began asking her for money after claiming the Foreign Office cancelled one of his contracts. 

She gave him £2,500 for a business trip to Nigeria; £5,000 for a trip to Somalia and also paid his utility bills and financed a three-week Thailand holiday for the couple.

He also signed-on for Jobseekers Allowance and enjoyed holidays to Tenerife and Majorca as well as a trip to the Bahamas and business class flights to Marseilles.

Throughout the trial he insisted he only told people he was merely trained by ex-SAS and French Foreign Legion soldiers in relation to his bodyguard work in Beirut.

He produced false business plans to convince Mr. Veljovic his company would received a lucrative retainer from insurance underwriters.

He even falsely claimed his company was endorsed by the former head of the Met’s kidnap and hostage unit.

“He spent Mr. Veljovic’s investment on a year’s rent,” added Mr. Starkey.

Fitt introduced himself in a local pub as a Colonel to the retired police officer. “He aid he was working on government contracts in the Middle East with other senior military leaders.

“He said he won a contract for kidnap response services and I had no reason to doubt his capabilities, given his links to senior military figures,” said Mr. Veljovic.

Fitt said he never passed himself off as a high-ranking officer. “The closest was my girlfriend Zoe’s nickname for me, she called me Colonel Blimp.”