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A fraudster who posed as a jeweller to dupe victims out of hundreds of thousands of pounds faces jail after admitting his guilt on the third day of his trial.
Andrew Batchelor, branded the Menace of Mayfair, conned hundreds of people out of watches, necklaces and earrings. Some items were sold, the rest were pawned, Isleworth crown court heard. One victim is understood to have lost property worth £47,000.
Police believe the “charming” thief pocketed at least £230,000, most of which he spent on a flamboyant lifestyle including eyelash tinting at Harrods, five star holidays and top hotels.
Victims, including company directors, hedge fund managers and nurses were ensnared by an impressive website, an upmarket address for the business, The Watch and Jewellery Exchange of Mayfair, and radio advertising.
Batchelor offered top prices but they never received payment. Some wanted cash to pay for a wedding, one to fund a charity mission to Africa.
The 51-year-old, from Chelsea, was originally nicknamed the Glasgow Goldfinger after a crime spree in the Nineties for which he was jailed for seven years. He began operating in London in 2003 first from offices in the West End and then Mayfair hotels or wine bars.
He was caught after he gave trainee solicitor Dipak Godhania a cheque for £1,700 for a scratched Rolex. When the cheque bounced Mr Godhania found details of Batchelor's criminal past online and called the police.
Batchelor was bailed but arrested again after another complaint. Bailed once more, he set about conning more victims. He was arrested a third time in March and remanded in custody.
He admitted six charges of deception, 22 of false representation involving property worth nearly £100,000 and one of fraudulent trading —16 other charges were quashed or left on file.
He was remanded until 16 October for financial inquiries.
Reader views (1)
Fifty one - 51 years old?
Good grief if I looked that good at the age of 51 I would embark on a similar lifestyle, clearly much better than the bottled products that do not work.
- James, City of London, 08/10/2009 10:29
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