Conman battered writer to death

Wang Yam battered frail Allan Chappelow to death in his £4.1 million Hampstead, north London, home in order to steal his identity.

But Yam's accent did not fool bank staff when he telephoned pretending to be the "English gentleman" writer.

And Yam - who had been posing as a multi-millionaire - was arrested after the 86-year-old's body was found hidden under a pile of papers.

An Old Bailey jury found Yam, 47, guilty of murdering Mr Chappelow in May 2006. He will be sentenced on Monday.

All the defence was held "in camera" with the press and public excluded for national security and to ensure the administration of justice. A court order bans speculation about the matters heard in private.

It is thought to be the first murder trial which has been held in secret because of national security.

The defence had earlier claimed a gang led by an Albanian gangster was responsible for the killing and burglary at the Manor House, Downshire Hill, during which cheques and a bank card were stolen.

Yam, who claimed to have fled China for Hong Kong following threats after the Tiananmen Square uprising, broke down in the witness box as he denied killing Mr Chappelow.

The court went into closed session after he said that after he sought asylum in the UK in 1992, he criticised the Chinese regime on internet blogs. Other parts of the trial were also held in secret and as prosecution witnesses were called.