Fake antiques dealer accused of £195,000 fraud of elderly

 A court has heard that a fraudster posed as a high-end antiques dealer to swindle wealthy pensioners out of £195,000 after dropping fake flyers through their letterboxes.

61-year-old Peter Taylor is accused of posting leaflets and business cards to "elderly and vulnerable" residents in Kensington and Chelsea in West London.

During a three-year period between March 2016 and Feb 2019 Mr Taylor, who has pleaded not guilty to 14 counts of fraud, allegedly posed as a valuer from Chelsea Auction House.  Jurors at Isleworth Crown Court were told that his 14 alleged victims would ask him to value their possessions but had not allowed him to sell them.

Prosecutors stated that Mr Taylor changed his name from Peter Tillott during the time of the alleged offence, and also operated under the company name Muck2Brass. Katrina Charles, for the prosecution, told the court, "If the items were sold, he said proceeds would be sent to the complainants."

The victims discussed a value and expected to receive any proceeds from the items sold by Mr Taylor. Prosecutors claim that instead, Mr Taylor sold them before an agreed valuation and would often not pass on money to the original owners. Allegedly, Mr Taylor repeatedly refuse to return calls, texts and messages, and victims would often only discover their possessions had been sold when they saw them online or at an auction house.

One restaurant owner alleged he lost £112,000 after Mr Taylor failed to return pieces of furniture, while other alleged victims are still missing valuable watercolours, prints, and ornaments.

The trial under Judge Sarah Paneth continues.