F.T. Finance Guru Used New Girlfriend To Rip-Off Ex

A respected finance expert, who fleeced his Oxford-educated former partner of her £200,000 savings by forging her signature and persuading his new girlfriend to pose as his ex, has been jailed for 12 months.

Former Arthur Andersen and Financial Times employee Stewart McRorie, 56, cashed-in a variety of investments belonging to Singapore-based anthropologist Dr. Sian Jay, 53, who trusted him to handle her finances.

“This was fraudulent conduct to induce banks to liquidate the assets and investments of Dr. Jay, an ex-partner of Mr. McRorie until the mid-90’s,” prosecutor Miss Samantha Hatt told Southwark Crown Court.

McRorie, of Rectory Close, Broadmayne, Dorchester, Dorset, who also has a home in Cote d’Or, France and Ailsya Hamilton, 47, of Highgate Village, North London, pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiring to commit fraud by false representation on or around October 18, 2007.

Jobless single-mum Hamilton, whose 10 year-old son viewed McRorie as a “father-figure” was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment, suspended for twelve months and was placed under a year’s probation supervision.

McRorie (pic.top) alone also pleaded guilty to fraud by false representation, relating to BlackRock Investment Management and possessing criminal property from a closed F & C Investments account.

“You forged her signatures on a letter to the bank, and used Miss Hamilton to impersonate Dr. Jay,” Judge Anthony Pitts told McRorie.

“Your intention was to get control of this money for yourself, you were in the driving seat. You went about encashing these investments in a fraudulent criminal fashion.”

In a victim impact statement Dr. Jay (pic bottom) says she “feels deceived and betrayed” and the dishonest plot hatched by McRorie and Hamilton has had a “huge impact on her life.”

McRorie and Dr. Jay – who obtained her PhD at Oxford University – met as final-year students at Hull University in the late-70’s and were together nearly twenty years, sharing a luxury flat in the exclusive Barbican, City of London.

At the time Dr. Jay was employed by the British Museum and now lectures at the world-renowned LaSalle-SIA College of the Arts, Singapore and is a leading expert in Asian art and design.

“She had given a large proportion of her British Museum earnings to Mr. McRorie and believed he invested them on her behalf,” Miss Hatt explained.

“At the time she was happy to give it to Mr. McRorie and does say in her statement to police he was quite controlling in the relationship.”

In March 1988 the couple opened a joint HSBC account in the City, which McRorie later used to pay Dr. Jay’s assets into because he had the authority to make withdrawals.

“They had remained in touch and Dr. Jay agreed to Mr. McRorie managing her assets which he moved to the joint account he had kept open and then moved them to an account in his sole name,” Miss Hatt explained.

However, Dr. Jay started asking awkward questions and demanded the paperwork relating to her investments. “He prevaricated, but finally sent some.”

In September and October, 2007 Dr. Jay told McRorie she wanted to cash in all the investments he had made for her – a total of £230,000

“By this time he was liquidating her assets and only sent her a cheque for £30,000,” said Miss Hatt. “Despite assurances to Dr. Jay she concluded Mr. McRorie had no intention to return the money to her.

“Mr. McRorie argued she owed him money for funding her three years at Oxford University studying her doctorate.

“He took full control of the money in all the assets he liquidated,” explained Miss Hatt.

“The focus of this case is the deception practiced by these defendants on the institutions who thought they were dealing with Dr. Jay.

“Mr. McRorie signed letters in Dr. Jay’s name and between them he and Miss Hamilton made telephone calls when Miss Hamilton purported to be Dr. Jay.”

The conspiracy involving both defendants saw Hamilton posing as Dr. Jay on the telephone and persuading City-based global asset management company Schroders and Halifax Share Dealing to release funds.

Schroders cashed a £28,690 PEP Dr. Jay funded with two initial £6,000 payments in 1995 and 1996.

McRorie posed as a Basildon Hospital orthopaedic surgeon when contacting the company’s call centre, but was unable to get the money.

“He became aggressive on the phone and shouted at the operator,” Miss Hatt told the court.

Shroders were later called by Hamilton – pretending to be Dr. Jay – and after successfully answering security questions prompted by McRorie the investment was released and paid into the HSBC joint account on October 24, 2007.

“Miss Hamilton impersonated Dr. Jay in telephone calls from the Barbican flat to Shroders and Halifax so they would believe it was Dr. Jay who wanted to sell those assets and shares,” said Miss Hatt.

Halifax Share Dealing needed additional proof before releasing £14,600 after McRorie wrote to them as Dr. Jay, demanding the account be cashed.

On October 18, 2007 Hamilton called them – posing as Dr. Jay – and successfully answered the account’s security questions.

“Mr. McRorie can be heard in the background prompting Miss Hamilton and during the recorded phone call the defendants can be heard discussing the investment and money,” said Miss Hatt.

McRorie acted alone when cashing £19,641 with City-based BlackRock Investment Management on September 27, 2007 and a cheque was sent to his flat at Willoughby House, Barbican.

When he closed the HSBC joint account on December 7, 2007 McRorie immediately came into possession of criminal property – namely £25,300 from F & C Investments – which he had successfully cashed-in.

The Barbican flat was also sold in 2007.

Although the indictment charges add up to only £88,231 the prosecution insist this represents just part of the investment portfolio, which was worth £230,000.

An increasingly frustrated Dr. Jay eventually contacted City of London Police and McRorie and Hamilton were arrested on December 13, 2007.

When quizzed by detectives McRorie claimed he had done nothing wrong and had lawful “Power of Attorney” to manage Dr. Jay’s finances.

McRorie’s lawyer Mr. Gregory Fishwick admitted his client utilised signature samples sent by trusting Dr. Jay, plus a photocopy of her passport and National Insurance number.

“He simply signed as it was the most expeditious way of doing things and used Miss Hamilton for expeditious reasons because of the pressure placed on him by Dr. Jay to liquidate the assets.

“He can no longer work for any financial institutions as he has done all his working life.”

Hamilton’s lawyer Mr. Rishi Nathwani said: “Mr. McRorie persistently telephoned the defendant to come around and make the telephone calls that she did. She felt obliged to assist.

“This is not a sophisticated woman, but naïve and isolated. She is full of regret and remorse. This was an error that will not occur again.”

Judge Pitts told Hamilton: “You allowed yourself to be used by Mr. McRorie and you were pressurised by persistent phone calls to impersonate Dr. Jay. You must have felt under considerable pressure.”

McRorie was ordered to pay £56,000 compensation to Dr. Jay from his solicitor’s client account within fourteen days.

Gang-Rapist Finally Caged

Justice has finally caught up with a sex beast – caged for eight-and-a-half years - who participated in the gang-rape of a 17 year-old prostitute fourteen years ago, just four days after raping a young woman.

Dawid Wysocki, 30, of Copenhagen St, Islington, pleaded guilty to raping the teen on September 22, 1996 on the Strawberry Vale Estate, Finchley, North London, and the rape of a 24 year-old in Watermead Way, Tottenham Marshes, four days earlier.

Wood Green Crown Court heard Wysocki (pictured) was arrested in November, last year in Northern Ireland.

Detective Inspector Dan Brown of the Specialist Crime Directorate said: “Thanks to well co-coordinated joint police work between the Metropolitan Police Service, Gardai and the Police Service of Northern Ireland this very dangerous man was apprehended.

“Dawid Wysocki has never shown any remorse for these crimes and was determined to avoid prison for committing them, what he didn’t appreciate was that police were equally determined to achieve justice for his victims.”

The 17-year-old victim was kidnapped by two men in Commercial Street, East London, and was raped by at least four men, including Wysocki, over a prolonged period of time.

She eventually left and approached a passing police car and reported the attack resulting in two men being arrested at the scene.

Enquiries linked the rape to the attack on the 24-year-old victim four days earlier.

Callous Car Killer Caged

A hit-and-run driver, who left a pensioner dying in the road after mowing him down with his high-powered Sierra Cosworth then orchestrated a tissue of lies with his family to frustrate police, has been caged for five-and-half years.

Rajveer Sehangera, 29, of Vernon Road, Ilford - earlier jailed along with his brother and father for conspiring to pervert the course of justice - was also banned for seven years after failing to talk his way out of trouble.

A Snaresbrook Crown Court jury convicted him of causing the death of 72 year-old Donald Fisher, (pic. bottom) by dangerous driving, in Aldborough Road South, Ilford, Essex, on August 23, 2006.

After the fatal the collision Sehangera (pic top) fled the scene, abandoning the car in nearby Ladysmith Avenue then hatched a plan with relatives to dodge justice.

Detective Inspector Simon Sharp of the Metropolitan Police’s Collision Investigation Unit said: "This has been a particularly complex investigation, with members of the Sehangera family deliberately misleading police.

“This should serve as a reminder that those who behave in a criminal manner on London's roads will be pursued to the full extent of the law.

“The sentence passed shows the severity with which this behaviour is viewed by the courts.

"I hope that Sehangera's sentencing provides some closure for the family of Donald Fisher who have had to cope with the loss of a loved one in such tragic circumstances."

Heroin Dealers Caught By Gang-Buster Cops

A heroin dealer targeted by undercover cops, who watched him distributing the deadly drug, is beginning 9-year jail term following a top-secret operation by the Metropolitan Police’s Organised Crime Command.

Also trapped in the police net was another dealer seen involved in a heroin handover, now starting a six- year term.

Israar Shah, 25, of Melville Road, Rainham, Essex, was sentenced to nine years imprisonment for possessing 2 kilos of heroin, with intent to supply, in Wood Lane, Dagenham, on April 2, 2008 and 600 gms of the drug in Upminster Road South, Rainham, on July 10.

Janwais Khan, 24, of Poulett Road, East Ham, East London, who was involved in the second deal, received six years for possessing 600 gms of heroin, with intent to supply.

The Met’s Central Task Force – an arm of the Organised Crime Command – watched as Shah (pic. top) handed a package to an accomplice in a pub, who then gave it to a mini-cab passenger as the defendant acted as look-out.

The car was later stopped and police found eight A4-sized wraps – covered in Shah’s fingerprints - containing high-grade heroin.

Eight days later Shah was watched just before midnight giving Khan (pic. bottom) a carrier bag containing more high-quality heroin and both men were arrested.

Detective Inspector Colin Stephenson said: "We at the Central Task Force hope this will send out a strong message to people supplying heroin and other drugs in London that they will be caught and convicted.

"This follows on from a highly successful year for the unit.

“During this time officers have seized in excess of two hundred kilos of class A drugs, as well as reclaiming money and assets worth more than £1,000,000.

“We will always continue our investigations to seize all profits gained from this illegal and damaging trade."

Jealous Ex's Deadly Poison Curry Plan

A jealous ex whose poison curry plan left her former boyfriend dead and his new girlfriend fighting for her life is facing life behind bars after a jury convicted her of murder.

Lakhvinder ‘Lucky’ Cheema, 39, died and his fiancé, Gurjeet Choough, 21, was left seriously ill in hospital as a result of eating the Aconite poison which had secretly been mixed into their evening meal at their home in Princes Road, Feltham.

Lakhvir Kaur Singh, 40, of Marlborough Rd, Southall was also convicted by the Old Bailey jury of causing grievous bodily harm, with intent, to Miss Choough, who has made a full recovery.

Detective Inspector Tony Bishop of the Homicide and Serious Crime Command said: "This was a premeditated murder by a woman who could not accept that her lover had found happiness with someone else and planned to get married.

"Singh planned this murder, we believe bringing the poison from India, and added it to the food that she knew would be eaten by Lucky and Gurjeet.

“The poison that Singh used caused appalling symptoms meaning that the last hours of Lucky's life were extremely traumatic and must have been terrifying."

Married mother-of-three Singh had been Lucky’s lover for about 15 years before his engagement to Gurjeet.

In 2008 Lucky's family introduced him to Gurjeet and the couple announced their engagement on November 2 and set a wedding date for Valentine’s Day, 2009.

Singh was upset and sent text messages to both Gurjeet and Lucky (pic. top) and eventually the three met with Gurjeet asking Singh to stop calling Lucky and allow them to start their new life together.

On January 26 Gurjeet made a curry for both her and Lucky and the next day their tenants let Singh (pic. middle) in, having met her previously.

She was invited by the tenants to sit in the kitchen, but refused and went to the fridge, taking the curry container (pic. bottom) out and standing with her back to the other residents before returning it to the fridge and leaving the house.

Later that evening Gurjeet heated the remainder of the curry for a meal for herself and Lucky.

Within a short time they began to feel unwell and rang one of the tenants for help as they were incapable of moving.

By the time the tenant got downstairs to them, they were unable to move and Lucky was vomiting violently.

Lucky's sister came to the house and she put her brother and Gurjeet into her car and rushed them to hospital.

They had both lost their sight and were losing the use of their limbs and by the time they reached hospital Lucky was completely paralysed and died within the hour.

Gurjeet was put into a medical coma whilst the staff at the hospital stabilised her heart and breathing.

Singh was arrested the next day and a small packet of the poison was found in her coat pocket and another in her handbag.

She claimed it was medication for a rash on her neck, giving the medical teams trying to save Gurjeet no assistance by identifying the poison.

Expert forensic analysis identified that the poison Aconite was present in both of the victims, the remains of the curry and the packets found in Singh's coat and handbag.

Detective Inspector Tony Bishop said: "I am grateful that the court recognised the overwhelming evidence against Singh and she has been found guilty of these crimes.

"Our thoughts are with Lucky's family and his fiancé who have all been devastated by his death."

Singh will be sentenced on a date to be fixed.

Killer Flees To Dubai After Teen Stabbing

A knifeman who fled to Dubai with the help of his uncle after leaving his teenage victim dying in a pool of blood faces a life sentence after being convicted of the brutal murder.

Ahmed Mire, 20, of Thurban Road, Catford, South London, repeatedly stabbed 18-year old student Adam Pervaiz (pic. top) in the leg, severing his femoral artery, in a communal stairwell at Shearwater Court, Abinger Grove, Deptford, on May 7, last year.

He was convicted by an Old Bailey jury and his uncle Mohammed Ali (pic. bottom.) will also be sentenced for assisting an offender.

A post mortem examination at Greenwich Mortuary gave the cause of death as stab wounds to the leg.

It is believed that Adam bled to death in a matter of minutes due to his femoral artery being severed.

Adam was a student at Lewisham College and had expressed a desire to join the Fire Brigade.

Mire (pic. middle) was arrested at Heathrow Airport on June 2 as he returned to the UK and was charged with Adam’s murder the next day

Ali was arrested the day after the killing because he purchased a plane ticket for his nephew to escape to Dubai in a bid to dodge capture.

Detective Chief Inspector Rick Murphy said: “This is another tragic example of an 18 year-old's life being cut short by the use of a knife and dying in tragic circumstances.

“My thoughts are with Adam's family and I hope they can feel some justice has been done.

“The Metropolitan Police Service is committed to bringing criminals to justice and this case is a strong message not only to those that carry knives but those who choose to assist them.

“I hope this sad and futile death will deter others from carrying a knife on the streets of London and remind them of our determination to find them and prosecute them.”

Shazia Pervaiz, Adam's mother said: "Adam Khan Pervaiz is not a number, he is not another statistic, he was my son, a great brother, a friend and he has been cruelly taken away from us.

“I will not see Adam's children, my grandchildren, for he did not have the opportunity to pass on his bloodline. The person that killed Adam has his blood on their hands."

I.T. Man Flashes Schoolgirls

A Derby IT specialist, who flashed at City of London schoolgirls three days in a row leaving them “shocked, disgusted and disturbed,” was placed under probation supervision by the Old Bailey today (Friday).

Peter Binks, 45, of Church Lane, Darley Abbey, was on a short-term work contract in the Square Mile when he flashed the girl’s aged 11-15 years.

He had pleaded guilty at City of London Magistrates’ Court to intentionally exposing his genitals, intending that someone would be caused alarm or distress, near City of London Girls School, Barbican, on December 9, 10 and 11, last year, contrary to the Sexual Offences Act.

The magistrates’ deemed their sentencing powers of up to six months’ imprisonment as insufficient so committed Binks (pictured) to the Central Criminal Court.

He received a three-year community sentence and was ordered to attend appointments as directed by the supervising officer.

The court heard bespectacled first-time offender Binks was seen by the girl’s exposing his genitals as they walked to school for two days in a row before his arrest.

Some of the schoolgirls gave video interviews to police in which they said they were “shocked, disgusted and disturbed.”

On the third day police were called and officers spotted Binks holding a laptop computer bag in front of him with his hand suspiciously moving vigorously behind it.

Football Star's Brother Killed By Single Punch

A man who killed Tottenham Hotspur star Jermaine Defoe’s brother Jade with a single punch during a brutal street confrontation has been jailed for three years.

The 27 year-old (pic. top) from Forest Gate, East London, known as Gavin to friends and family, suffered a fatal head injury when struck by Christopher Farley, 34, in Walnut Gardens, Stratford on April 20, last year.

Farley, (pic. bottom) of Kingswood Road, Leytonstone, was convicted at the Old Bailey of manslaughter.

Investigating officer Detective Inspector John Sandlin of the Homicide and Serious Crime Directorate said: "Gavin's death demonstrates the tragic circumstances that can arise from the use of violence, and the use of a single punch.

"A disagreement between two acquaintances led to Farley punching Gavin, which resulted in his death.

It was a senseless loss of life, that has left the victim's family distraught.

"Farley has now been sentenced, but in addition to the punishment he has received from the courts, he has to live with causing the death of Gavin for the rest of his life."

The pair, who knew each other, met in the street and exchanged words before Farley punched Gavin in the face, causing him to fall to the ground, hitting his head.

He was rushed by ambulance hospital but died on 24 April.

A post-mortem examination gave the cause of death as a head injury.

Gunman Caged For Travel Agent Raid

A gunman who targeted a high street travel agent’s bureau de change – terrifying staff with a pistol and stuffing foreign cash into a carrier bag – has been locked up for five years.

Michael Michaelides, 42, of Cardinals Way, Upper Holloway, was arrested inside Thomas Cook, Muswell Hill, after a member of staff managed to raise the alarm in a neighbouring shop.

Michaelides (pictured) pleaded guilty Wood Green Crown Court to robbing the travel agent’s on November 16 last year and possessing of a firearm with intent to commit an indictable offence and was given an indeterminate sentence carrying a five-year minimum.

He entered Thomas Cook’s at 5.20 pm and demanded staff let him inside the secure foreign exchange bureau.

Police were alerted called and officers attended the scene a short time later - arresting Michaelides inside the shop.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Adrian Whitewick said: “This was a very serious robbery where staff members carrying out their daily business were threatened by an armed gunman.

“The actions of both the staff and members of the public were crucial in assisting officers to arrest Michaelides and recover the firearm and stolen cash.”