Baron Feversham Cleared After Blaming Angry Ex For Stealing Court Letters

Cleared: Baron Feversham

An aristocrat nicknamed ‘The Porn Baron’ today claimed his estranged wife has been stealing his mail in her hunt for his fortune as he defended himself against ignoring traffic prosecution letters. 

Jasper Orlando Slingsby Duncombe, 52, the 7th Baron Feversham allegedly drove his blue two-litre Audi, without reasonable consideration.

Two letters requesting he identify the driver of the car, which was caught on camera, were posted to his home at Neeld Cottage, The Street, Grittleton, Chippenham, Wiltshire.

He told Lavender Hill Magistrates Court he did not receive the letters and suspects his angry wife stole them from his outside mailbox while he was visiting his new girlfriend Emma at her homes in London and Minorca.

The Baron was accused of failing to give information relating to the identification of the driver of the vehicle, which was caught on camera at the junction of Fulham Road and Parsons Green Lane at 3.05pm on November 30, last year.

Speaking via video link and wearing a smart dark blue suit, light blue shirt and dark blue tie he told the court: “Her solicitors have not found the sort of money they think I have.

“She is extremely angry because she is not receiving the sums she believes she deserves and has been seeking financial information.”

He is the eldest son of the late Peter Duncombe, 6th Baron Feversham and was educated, along with Prince Edward at Gordonstoun.

The Baron founded pornographic film companies ‘Tongue in Cheek’ and ‘Relish XXX,’ which sells movies to NHS fertility clinics and private sperm banks, including titles such as ‘To The Manor Porn.’

He was disinherited from his late father’s £46m estate, due to the elder Baron’s disapproval of his porn empire, splitting his will amongst his widow three other children.

The 7th Baron split-up with his wife in early Summer, last year and received a divorce petition last November.

“It has been very acrimonious. For example she tried to stop me seeing my children, restricting me to just twelve days a year.

“I took her to court very successfully and now see my children for seventy per cent of the half-term.” The Baron also has fortnightly custody every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

The Baron became suspicious when a letter sent from his City broker was not in his mailbox after returning from Minorca on January 18, this year.

“They said they sent it, but I could not find it and there are one or two items like that, that have gone missing.”

Dodgy Mailbox?: Neeld Cottage

Confessing he has six points on his driving licence for speeding on the M4 the Baron said it would make no sense to ignore the Single Justice Procedure notices because that would result in an automatic ban.

“I would have said I was the driver, because nobody else drives my car. If you don’t respond you get six points, which means I get automatically banned.

“By throwing in the bin I would automatically lose my licence. Why would I do that?

“I’d be effectively throwing my licence in the bin, it would be crazy. It is not something I would do.

“I get my bank statements digitally now and if I am away for a few days my neighbour takes the post in.”

His divorce is far from amicable, explained the Baron. “Things did not start getting really nasty until Christmas just gone by. This has been very nasty for nine or ten months now.

“I am suspicious things started when I began dating Emma, who lives in Minorca.

“It is fairly recent things have got unpleasant and the opportunity to pilfer my mail would have been fairly limited until I began flying to Minorca.”

It was the disappearance of his letter from wealth management firm Canaccord that convinced the Baron his wife was stealing his post.

“I thought: ‘Hang on, there’s something going on here.’ The Royal Mail loses the items, but there was more, anything that looked official, like a council tax reminder.

“That letter from my broker, that was when my arm bell rang and I thought: ‘Someone’s taking my post.’

“What is unusual here is the mail goes into a mailbox and you can get in there and get stuff out.

“If there was a magazine there the postman would just prop those up in the porch.”

Bench Chairwoman Laura Boyle announced she and her fellow-magistrate were split 50/50 on the case and ordered a re-trial.

“Unfortunately were are a split bench as a two, so we are unable to reach a decision so this will have to be adjourned to another occasion in front of another bench.” 

Prosecutor Mr. Alex Alawode told the court in the circumstances the CPS would discontinue the case rather than have a re-trial. “It is not in the public interest.”

The court then formally found the Baron not guilty.

Earlier the prosecutor said two notices were sent to the cottage in December, last year and January, this year via First Class post.

The Baron eventually wrote back, claiming he never received them, saying: “I am in the midst of  very messy divorce and believe my wife has been removing letters for financial information.

“My outside mailbox is easily pilfered.”

He succeeded to the barony on his father’s death on March 29, 2009 and has two boys.

In 1993 sentenced to three years imprisonment for an attempted robbery while high in cocaine.

The original offence of driving without consideration will not be proceeded with.

His lawyer Mr. Simon Nicholls urged the court to find his client not guilty due to the 50/50 split.

He submitted it made no sense for the Baron to ignore the notices. “If you do not reply there is a fine of up to a thousand pounds and six penalty points.

“You would have to be a complete idiot, if I can put it colloquially. This would put him in danger for totting-up disqualification.”

Violent Late-Night Mugging: Two Robbers Caged

"Cowards": Dugdale & Thomas

Two "dangerous offenders", who ganged up on a lone victim with a third mystery accomplice have been locked-up.

They targeted a man in his late twenties, who they punched and kicked multiple times – fracturing his cheekbone – before snatching his mobile phone and wallet.

Jaydan Dugdale, 20, (pic.l) of St. George’s Drive, Watford and Paul Thomas, 20, (pic.r.) of Woodford New Road, Walthamstow each received eight years. 

At Inner London Crown Court they were found guilty by a jury of robbery following a trial.

They will spend an extra two years on licence after their release.

The victim was attacked by Dugdale, Thomas and a third unidentified man in Raeburn Street, Brixton at around 2.15am on Saturday, September 7, last year.

He was punched and kicked several times in the chest and face over several minutes.

The victim received hospital treatment for facial injuries, including a broken cheekbone, for which he required surgery.

Witnesses in nearby properties called police. 

Officers attended and located Dugdale nearby a short time later. 

He was wearing distinctive red trainers, which witnesses also saw on the attacker.

Thomas was arrested by police in Raeburn Street.

Detective Constable Aisha Grainger, from the Central South Robbery and Burglary Team, said: “This was a cowardly, unprovoked attack on the victim, who was outnumbered and unfortunate enough to cross paths with Dugdale and Thomas, who were clearly looking for trouble that night.

“It was only down to luck that the victim was not more seriously injured.

“The judge recognised the severity of this attack in handing down these strong jail sentences, classing them both as dangerous offenders.”

Gang Of Four: Man Dies Two Weeks After Late-Night Beating

Police are hunting this foursome after a man died two weeks after he was punched and stamped on in the early hours.

Simon Whisker, 40, was hospitalised after the incident at 1.30am on July 1 in London Road, Croydon.

He was treated for his injuries and discharged.

Sadly, a fortnight later he had to be re-admitted to hospital, where he died on July 13.

The Metropolitan Police are not treating it as a murder or racially-aggravated investigation at the moment.

The next of kin have been informed and are being supported by officers.

A special post-mortem examination has been held. 

Extensive enquiries have been carried out by detectives from the South Area Command Unit.

So far there have been no arrests. 

Enquiries to establish the circumstances continue.

Detectives have released this image of the four males they would like to speak to in connection with the incident.

Detective Constable Jo Cheung, from the South Area CID, said: 

Simon Whisker

“The victim became involved in an altercation with a group of males and was viciously assaulted.

“We are not treating this as a murder inquiry at this time. 

"We just want to find out who was responsible for the attack on Simon.

“I am asking the public to contact us if they recognise any of these males.”

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 quoting reference Cad 471/01Jul. 

Alternatively tweet @MetCC or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Sainsbury's Employee Blatantly Filmed Up Schoolgirl's Skirt

A Sainsbury’s employee in full uniform was caught red-handed by a customer and the store’s CCTV using his phone to film up a teenage schoolgirl’s mini-skirt, a court heard today.

Alex O’Halloran, 33, was arrested and an investigation revealed he had a huge collection of 388 ‘upskirt’ pictures he had taken of women, plus images from a secret camera he installed in the staff ladies’ toilet.

O’Halloran, of Tankerton Terrace, Mitcham Road, Croydon pleaded guilty to outraging public decency at Sainsbury’s, The Green, Twickenham on July 18, 2018 by taking an ‘upskirt’ photo of the girl, wearing her school uniform.

Wimbledon Magistrates Court was played a short clip from the store’s CCTV, which plainly showed O’Halloran blatantly approaching the girl - wearing a plaid mini-skirt and white shirt - from behind.

As she was looking at items on the store’s shelves he leaned forward and, using his mobile phone, filmed up her skirt.

Prosecutor Mr. Trevor Green told the court it was 3.15pm when the male customer caught O’Halloran.

“An individual walked into Sainsbury’s and witnessed seeing the defendant, wearing uniform, with a phone in his hand taking a picture up the skirt of a girl wearing school uniform.”

The customer complained and the police were informed, revealing further similar crimes O’Halloran committed.

“The contents of his phone and computer were downloaded, leading to further charges,” said the prosecutor.

O’Halloran also pleaded guilty that on or before July 18, 2018 he outraged public decency by behaving in an indecent manner, namely taking 388 upskirt photos of women.

He also pleaded guilty to voyeurism on or before July 18, 2018 at Sainsbury’s Local, Friars Stile Road, Richmond in that he recorded three people doing a private act, for the purpose of sexual gratification.

He also admitted taking indecent photos of a children on or before July 18, 2018, namely 16 Category C moving images of a child.

“There are three clips, totalling approximately thirty minutes and show the staff toilets at Sainsbury’s, with the victims entering and removing their trousers and underwear and sitting down on the toilet. All seem to be female,” said Mr. Green.

O’Halloran’s lawyer Mr. Tony Meisels said: “Clearly this will need to go to the Crown Court for sentencing. We accept there are images that depict underage persons.

“He is a man of good character, facing serious charges.”

The magistrates committed O’Halloran to Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court to be sentenced on a date to be fixed and ordered a pre-sentence report.

They also told O’Halloran he must sign the sex offenders register within three days at Croydon Police Station, giving his personal details and where he lives, plus notice of travel or any visits by children to his address.

Mental Health Order For Psychiatric Hospital Killer

Ronnell Dennis

A hospital patient, who killed another man also receiving treatment at a mental health facility, has been detained.

Ronnell Dennis, 26, inflicted fatal head injuries to 27 year-old David Siirak at the facility in Pield Heath Road, Hillingdon, west London.

He fled after the attack at 5.10pm on Sunday, March 1 and Mr. Siirak sadly died from the injuries three days later.

At Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court Dennis pleaded guilty to manslaughter by diminished responsibility. 

He was sentenced to a hospital order under section 37 with a restriction order under section 41.

David Siirak

Detective Sergeant Colin McKeen, from the Metropolitan Police's Specialist Crime South, said: “David’s family have been left heartbroken by this.

“I know that this has been a truly painful time for them and while today’s outcome will never bring David back, I hope that they find a little comfort in the sentence.”

David’s family said in a statement: “We have suffered a great and terrible loss after David’s tragic death on 4 March 2020.

"This has been a life-changing experience. Life will never ever be the same for us without David.

“David was a strong and much-loved young man, and he will eternally be missed by us all.”

Drunken Entrepreneur's Attempted Kiss Left Victim With "Severe Psychological Harm"

A drunken Canary Wharf entrepreneur, who cornered a terrified woman in a lift after a Royal Festival Hall corporate Christmas party, is now facing two-and-a-half years imprisonment after she delivered a powerful victim impact statement today.

Company Director Pavel Grushin, 27, who attended a £26,500-a year private Mayfair college, grabbed the woman and tried to kiss her, resulting in her profession and marriage being severely damaged by subsequent panic attacks and anxiety.

When arrested he boasted about his looks to police and urged officers to admire his Instagram account, boasting the married 33 year-old professional should have found him attractive.

He was due to be sentenced at Croydon Magistrates Court today, which is limited to six months imprisonment, but after delivering a highly-charged account of how the offence destroyed her life the case was sent to the Crown Court. 

District Judge Julie Cooper ruled it was a Category One offence due to the “severe psychological harm caused”, which carries a starting point of two-and-a-half years imprisonment.

Grushin, of Mersey Court, Samuel Gray Gardens, Kingston-upon-Thames was a guest at the private event on December 12, last year. 

He was convicted of one count of attempted sexual assault and one count of common assault and was bailed for sentencing at Croydon Crown Court on a date to be fixed.

He was also ordered to sign the sex offenders register. 

“I have heard from the young woman in these proceedings of the distress and psychological harm you have caused her,” the judge told Grushin.

“The guideline this offence falls into is Category One, with a starting point of two-and-a-half years imprisonment.

“It was a prolonged incident and even if treated as a Category Two the starting point is one year’s custody.

“This case clearly crosses the custodial threshold, obviously crosses it and I am sending you to the Crown Court for sentencing.

“I suggest you instruct a solicitor, you will need it,” she told the unrepresented first-time offender. “You must anticipate receiving a custodial sentence.

“If the complainant can face the Crown Court with the courage she has shown today that is one matter, but if she can’t the Crown will read out her statement and it will be as powerful there as it was to me today.

“Her courage is the exact opposite to your cowardice and that is something you should reflect on, the effect you have had on her.”

Grushin, a University of Cambridge graduate in Entrepreneurial Studies was spotted by the victim, project management university graduate, loitering on an upper landing at 11pm.

“He was leaning over the staircase bannister for balance, he looked to be very drunk and unsteady and I could hear him mumbling,” she told the trial.

The woman entered a lift with Grushin and his two male companions. “He very quickly walked towards me and tried to corner me, with his arms raised and using his body so I couldn’t get around him.

“His eyes were very glazed over and he seemed to be enjoying himself and I was immediately very frightened by his demeanour and expression.

“His motive seemed sexual. I was afraid for my safety.

“He followed me out of the lift and grabbed my right wrist very, very tightly and pulled me in his direction, back towards the lift.

“He said: ‘Come on,’ a few times and I just kept saying: ’No,’ loudly, firmly and very clearly.

“To escape, I kept walking backwards and his mouth was puckered as if leaning in for a kiss and I placed my hand on his chest to push him away as he leaned in three times to kiss me.

“I firmly pushed with all my body strength and he stumbled back and stopped.

“Afterwards I burst into tears and there was a big red mark on my wrist, like a Chinese burn.”

Venture capitalist Grushin had begun his night out at a Pall Mall club and ended it at members-only Tramp, near Piccadilly, insisting he limited himself to two glasses of champagne and two glasses of wine.

After being arrested at home over a month later, wearing just his boxer shorts, he told police he had “social status” and had met “many” women.

When officers asked if he thought the victim was attracted to him he replied: “She could have been. Look at me.”

Describing himself as “very successful” Grushin urged the officers to check his Instagram account, where he could be seen “hanging out with cool people.”

He told the trial: “I absolutely, categorically did not touch her,” but contradicted himself immediately by saying: “It is possible I friendly patted her, but I don’t remember.”

Grushin denied cornering the victim in the lift, claiming he was reaching for the buttons.

Today, from behind a screen the emotional woman, who has quit her ten-year career because it involves large crowds, who have usually consumed alcohol, outlined the devastating effects of Grushin’s actions.

“I had an anxiety attack when I visited the Royal Festival Hall because of the close proximity  and because it was on the same floor as where I was attacked,” she said.

“I was overwhelmed and the thought of facing members of the public with alcohol reminded me of December.

“I had flashbacks of this man trapping me in the lift and trying to grope me, or even worse try to rape me.

“I hyperventilated and had a panic attack. I felt faint and had to lie down until my breathing returned to normal after ten to fifteen minutes.

“I never had panic attacks before and this added to my stress.”

She was forced to begin therapy sessions a month after the incident to help control her anxiety and has since attended psychotherapy sessions for sexual trauma.

“I have had sleepless nights, I can’t shut this off and can’t sleep. I had a nightmare about a man trying to break in and try to kiss me and this woke me up.

“The thought of returning to that lobby scares me and my heart races.”

A doctor says he symptoms are consistent with post-traumatic stress disorder and she has been prescribed sleeping pills, antidepressants and an inhaler to assist her breathing.

“I am incredibly anxious and normally scared and I am too frightened to go in lifts alone because the last time I was alone a stranger attacked me and I thought I would be raped.

“The crime has had an effect on my marriage, I feel I don’t want to be touched intimately and my marriage relationship is not the same.”

She told the court she “broke down in tears” after a family gathering and was even “uneasy and anxious” during a 50-guest online party.

“It makes me angry, what this man has done to me,” she said. “He has taken so much from me in both my professional and personal life.”

Prosecutor Mr. Brinkman May told the court today: “The victim was standing next to the control panel and Mr. Grushin entered and moved towards he with his arms out and cornered her.

“She was alarmed by his actions and scared that she was in a lift with a strange person. She was corned and had to push past him.

“Mr. Grushin grabbed her by the wrist and said something to the effect of: ‘Come on,’ and ignored her refusal.

“He dragged her about five paces back to the lift and she was scared about what he would do if he got her back into the lift.”

A cleaner witness confirmed the victim repeatedly saying: “No, no,” to Grushin. 

“He then leant down with puckered lips and attempted to kiss her three times and mumbled something about ‘kissing’ on the third push.”

Knife-Wielding Maniac Stabbed Five Random Strangers In The Back

A knifeman who brought four days of terror to Edmonton – randomly stabbing five strangers in the back – has been locked up in a mental hospital.

One female victim, aged in her 40's, was permanently paralysed by the vicious attack and is now wheelchair-bound.

Jason Kakaire, 31, of Cameron Close, Upper Edmonton was sentenced to a hospital order with restrictions.

He pleaded guilty to five counts of grievous bodily harm and five counts of possession of an offensive weapon.

Over four days in March and April, 2019 Kakaire approached five complete strangers and stabbed them in the back. 

On sentencing, the judge said he had inflicted a “reign of terror” and that the harm he had caused to the victims and their families was immeasurable.

Detective Chief Inspector Chris Soole, who led the investigation, said: “These five random attacks were completely unprovoked and caused significant harm to each and every victim.

“The force used was brutal and it is only by sheer luck that all five victims survived.

“These stabbings have had a huge impact on their lives, both physically and mentally, and understandably left a community in fear for a number of days.

“Kakaire took a significant amount of time to admit these offences and has never offered any real explanation for why he acted in this way. 

“I have no doubt he is a dangerous offender and my investigation team and I are pleased he is no longer on our streets.”

Kakaire’s first attack took place on Aberdeen Road on Saturday, March 30. 

At around 7.00pm he walked past the victim, a woman in her 40's, before running back towards her and stabbing her in the back.

She was assaulted with such force that the handle of the knife snapped off during the attack and had to be surgically removed. 

She remained in hospital for several months and has been left wheelchair-bound.

In a victim impact statement read to the court, she said: “The physical and mental injuries have totally changed my life and will do so for evermore. 

“It is not only the impact on me, but that of my family.

“The knife attack has left me paralysed with the inability to walk. I will never walk again. 

“It has left me with trembling in my hands and arms and I am in constant pain.

“As a result of the stabbing I also suffer with tremendous psychological issues. 

“When I go out I panic, I suffer with panic attacks. I always want someone I know behind me so that I know I am safe.

“My husband has heard me many times to shout out: 'He’s coming, I am scared'. All the time I feel that it could happen again, that I could be out in the street and that the same person who did this to me will attack me again. 

“I cannot get these thoughts out of my head. They dictate my life.”

Following his initial attack Kakaire spent the next few hours walking the streets and shopping in Tesco on Fore Street before returning to his flat.

At around 11.50pm on the same evening, the second victim, a man in his 50's, left Pymmes Park and walked into Park Avenue.

He was pursued by Kakaire, who stabbed him once in the lower back before running away from the scene. 

The victim approached a nearby house where the occupants called the emergency services. 

He was taken to hospital and found to have suffered a vertebrae fracture.

Around three hours later, at around 3.15am on Sunday, March 31, Kakaire again made his way to Fore Street, where he approached a man in his 20's and stabbed him.

The victim managed to make his way to Seven Sisters station to seek help and was taken to hospital. 

He was found to have suffered significant internal bleeding.

At around 9.45am, the fourth victim – a man in his 20's – noticed he was being followed as he walked down Lansfield Avenue.

He quickened his pace, but Kakaire continued to trace him and stabbed him in the back.

Members of the public, including an off-duty GP, provided medical assistance until paramedics arrived and took the victim to hospital. 

The knife had penetrated his lungs and caused damage to his diaphragm and liver.

Despite extensive enquiries to identify and locate the suspect, Kakaire remained at large and on Tuesday, April 2 carried out his fifth attack.

The victim, a man in his 30's, left his home at around 5.00am to buy some medication for his child and he was followed into Fairfield Road.

He was stabbed from behind, causing a collapsed lung and further organ damage.

Kakaire fled the scene and made his way home. 

At around 10.10am he was spotted by officers who recognised him from the description circulated as he made his way past Edmonton Green.

On his arrest, his clothing was found to be covered in blood which was later found to match that of the fourth victim.

Officers later found that an orange knife removed from the first victim’s body was one sold as part of a set including two other knives. 

The other two were later found at Kakaire’s home address, while the orange one was missing. 

He was charged and remanded in custody.

Three further victims provided their impact statements to the court – all said they were now afraid to go outside alone at night following the assaults.

Victim three, a man in his 20's, said: “I am scared to meet with people ever since this attack. 

“I do not go out of my house much, as I am fearful that I will suffer another similar attack. 

“I have a big problem with sleeping. I do not sleep for more than thirty or forty minutes. I have nightmares.

“I forget quite a lot of things. My memory has been affected very badly after the assault. 

“I have become someone who is scared of his own shadow when I go out.” 

Fraudster Who Preys On Elderly Jailed

A heartless fraudster, who deliberately targeted the elderly for their banks cards, has been jailed.

Mohammed Koita, 22, of Clandon Road, Ilford received six months imprisonment.

At Bromley Magistrates' Court he pleaded guilty to two offences of fraud by false representation.

On December 18, last year a 70 year-old man was contacted by phone from someone claiming to be from Barclays Bank. 

The caller said there were issues with the victim’s bank card and that he needed to return it to them by post.

The caller then added that one of their collection teams would be in the area the next day and they would pick it up.

The following day Koita called at the victims address in Bromley, claiming to be from the 'collection team'. 

The victim was holding his debit card in his hand, but becoming wary of the caller, told the male that he had changed his mind and would deliver the card to the bank in person. 

At this, Koita snatched the card from the victim’s hand and fled in a black coloured Volkswagen.

Around twenty minutes later £20 was debited from the victim’s bank account at a petrol station. 

Further payments to a clothing company for £1,965 and a £500 cash withdrawal were declined by the bank.

On viewing the footage of the petrol station where the £20 had been used to purchase fuel, officers saw Koita on the CCTV, wearing a distinctive red puff jacket that was later found at his home during a search of his address.

On Friday, February 22, last year an 84-year-old female victim was at her home in Dorset when she received a call from a man calling himself ‘David Stirling' and claiming to be from Natwest Bank. 

He told the victim there was a problem with her account and that someone would be sent to her address to give her a new bank card. 

He said that the courier would be called Simon and he would quote the security code CMO12.

She then received a second call from a man calling himself ‘William Wallace’ who claimed to be the delivery/collection coordinator and told the victim that her card would be delivered soon.

Shortly after, the suspect arrived saying only "I'm Simon and the code is CM012”. 

The victim was given a plain envelope with a card inside. 

When she opened the envelope she found not a bank card, but a Google Play gift card.

When she asked for an explanation she was told that it was a thank you for her years as a loyal customer.

During their conversation, the victim was tricked into handing over her bank card and pin number and was told that her new card would arrive on Monday.

Half an hour later £100 was taken from the account via an ATM in Westbourne.

The victim handed the envelope that had contained the Google Play card to police and a fingerprint match was found identifying Mohammed Koita.

Detective Scott Pounder of the Metropolitan Police's North East Economic Crime Unit said: “These were cowardly crimes committed against vulnerable elderly victims.

“Crimes of this type can go unreported due to victim’s feeling embarrassed that they had been duped by the fraudsters, but this should not be the case. 

“Koita had fed layers of calls and information to the victims in these two incidents, each call or detail further reinforcing the impression that he was genuine.

“Given the overwhelming evidence gathered against him, it was only right that Koita entered guilty pleas. 

“This, at least, prevented the victims from going through a trial process.

“Although no physical injuries were inflicted, the effects of becoming a victim of crime, particularly within your own home, run far deeper than a loss of cash or property.

“I hope that the sentence handed down affords the victims some closure to what were clearly deeply upsetting incidents.”

Casanova Conman Swindled Online Dates During £440K Scam

A serial ‘romance fraudster’, who convinced online dates he was a successful Forex trader to swindle cash out of them has been jailed.

Vimal Popat, 41, of Salt Hill Drive, Slough, who also conned a male relative at a wedding with a similar ruse, received four years and four months imprisonment.

The relative lost £300,000 of a total of £440,824.50 conned out of the eight victims, which included a former work colleague and former neighbour.

Six of the victims were women, with four of them involved romantically with Popat.

He pleaded guilty at Harrow Crown Court of fraud by false representation.

Detective Constable Chris Collins, said: “This was a selfish and callous crime that parted trusting decent people from their savings.

“So often victims of this type of offence don’t come forward, embarrassed by their own naivety, but fraudsters such as Popat work hard on their back story and are incredibly convincing in the telling of their tales.

“I commend the victims in this case for coming forward. 

“Their actions have put a stop to Popat’s crimes and have no doubt spared others from falling victim to his schemes. 

“I hope that the sentence handed down brings them some satisfaction.”

Popat’s victims were mainly women, most of whom he met using online dating sites such as Bumble.

After striking up an online friendship, Popat would typically go on to form romantic relationships with his victims in person. 

After wooing them over a period of months and gaining their trust, he would persuade them to invest their money in a non-existent business.

In all cases, he duped his victims into believing he was a successful Forex trader and they were investing in his business with the promise of healthy profits gained through the purchase and sale of currencies.

In reality, when the victim’s money was transferred into one of Popat’s bank accounts, he would use it to finance his lifestyle or gamble it away in casinos.

When chasing their money, Popat would string along his romantic victims for months using a number of excuses for being unavailable to see them, such as being in a car accident, being hospitalised, being robbed and even attending a funeral.

He also created false banking documents to persuade victims that his accounts had a healthy balance and that their money was being invested.

His offending, which began in 2013, stopped during 2015-2016, but escalated to an extreme during 2019 where he duped four victims in a single year.

Romanian Double-Rapist Strikes For Third Time

A twice-convicted rapist from Romania struck again a week after arriving in the UK – pouncing on a lone woman as she walked home in the early hours.

Mihai Roban, 47, took the terrified 28 year-old victim behind public toilets at 2.40am after she left a local bar.

At Harrow Crown Court he was sentenced to seven years and eight months imprisonment and was ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register for life.

Roban pleaded guilty to raping the woman in Regents Park Road, Finchley on January 20.

He ignored her repeated pleas for him to stop and the alarm was raised by a member of the public who heard the distressed victim calling for help.

Police attended and found Roban with the victim. 

He was arrested and taken into custody, where he refused to make any comment about the incident during an interview with officers. 

He was charged with rape the same day by Public Protection Detectives from the North West Command Unit.

Detective Sergeant Michael Daly, the Senior Investigating Officer, said: “Roban had only been in the country for a week when he carried out this attack. 

“When we conducted enquiries with police in his home country of Romania we discovered that he had two previous convictions for rape and prison is the right place for him. 

“He maintained his innocence until the week before the trial was due to start, which brought further anguish to his victim.

"The victim has been incredibly strong throughout the investigation and I hope that knowing Roban will be in prison for some time will help her to move on from her horrible ordeal.

"I also wish to thank the member of the public for doing the right thing and calling the police when they heard the victim’s calls for help, as well as the investigation team for their excellent work and their continued dedication supporting victims of rape and bringing the offenders to justice.”

Living The Thai Life: Far East Dream Funded By Benefit Fraud

A Thai expat’s lifestyle was funded by taxpayers during an audacious decade-long £66,000 benefit fraud, a court heard today.

Joseph Peter Marcel Fougere, 74, rented out his council house, which he was also claiming housing benefit for as well as Pension Credit and council tax benefit.

“He built a life out there, with friends and a girlfriend and the like and he has now held his hands up at the first opportunity,” his lawyer Joe O’Leary told Croydon Magistrates Court.

Fougere pleaded guilty to dishonestly failing to notify a change of circumstances to the Department of Work & Pensions (DWP) between January 25, 2010 and February 10, last year, namely that he was living in Thailand and sub-letting his home.

He also similarly pleaded guilty to failing to notify the DWP between August 22, 2011 and March 31, 2013 relating to council tax benefit and between April 1, 2011 and February 3, last year relating to housing benefit.

Prosecutor Roz Wardell told the court Fougere was caught after a tip-off, applying for him to be sent to the Crown Court, where sentencing powers are greater.

“The defendant failed to declare that he was living abroad, while sub-letting his property, which he was also receiving benefits for.

“The benefits system was funding his lifestyle abroad,” she added, confirming the loss as £66,252.

“It is a large sum of money, the defendant was living abroad and using the benefit system to pay for it.”

The court heard Fougere has medical issues, including osteoarthritis to his knees and shoulders.

“He is of good character and when he first claimed benefits he was entitled to them,” said Mr. O’Leary. 

“This is not a man constantly breaking the law, flouting everything and he has made a mistake and he regrets his actions.

“He is already losing his house over this and has nowhere else to go and there is a punishment in that.”

The magistrates said their sentencing powers were insufficient and  sent Fougere to Croydon Crown Court for sentencing. 

They commented the frauds involved three separate offences and a large amount of money over a long period of time.