An Australian gambler came within an ace of losing

An Australian gambler came within an ace of losing over pnds stlng
220,000 in a swindle orchestrated by his best friend and his live-in
lover, the Old Bailey heard today Tuesday.

John Williamson, 55, had already been terrorised into paying pnds
stlng 75,000 out of fear that he would be abducted, tortured and
mutilated, it was alleged.

After paying off accused extortionists Florence Holman, 26, and
Bruce Milton, 76, he discovered the pair had forged a letter authorising
an extra bank transfer for double that sum, the jury heard.

The funds had already been transferred into Holman’s account but Mr
Williamson managed to have it frozen shortly before she made an
attempt to draw on the money, the court was told.

The jury was told Mr Williamson was a retired gambler who used a
string of aliases and had a criminal record in both Australia and
England.

Williamson had known Milton, his ‘gofer’, for over 14 years.

Williamson met Holman when she answered an ad for a live-in
housekeeper at his home in Kenilworth Road, Ashford, Middx, in
March last year.

Within 48 hours, the pair became lovers, said Mr Malcolm Fortune,
prosecuting.

She and Milton also became firm friends.

‘She led Mr Williamson to believe that the authorities here and in
Australia were interested in him.

‘She said he faced the prospect of being arrested for serious criminal
offences.

‘Holman said her mother had important contacts at Regents Park
mosque and could sort out any problems he had.

‘
Although Milton backed her claims, Mr Williamson remained
sceptical, counsel added.

By the time the couple’s love affair had cooled a few months later,
she allegedly threatened to inform the authorities about ‘certain
matters’ to do with him.

Mr Williamson remained unmoved, convinced he had nothing to hide.

Later, she claimed her contacts at the mosque were demanding pnds
stlng 75,000 for the work they had carried out, the jury heard.

‘She told him unless he paid the money people connected with the
mosque would take him to Leeds, torture him and his penis might be cut
off and he might never be seen again.

‘Milton reinforced the threat by saying he had better take it
seriously.

‘
Fearing for his life, Mr Williamson transferred the money to her.

She deposited it in one account then transferred it to another she
operated through a different name, the jury was told.

Although the relationship was over, she accompanied him when he
moved from his Ashford home to live in Stanley Road, Mitcham, Surrey.

In late September, a chance phone call to his bank uncovered a
letter supposedly signed by John Patterson – one of Williamson’s
aliases – of 995 Mountain Highway, Boronia, Victoria, Australia.

The letter, authorised a further transfer of pnds stlng 150,000,
was forged by Milton and Holman, counsel alleged.

Despite his fears for his life, Mr Williamson called in the police
in October and the two defendants were arrested.

Milton, of Hogarth Avenue, Ashford, claimed Mr Williamson owed the
pnds stlng 75,000 to Holman for her clearing his tax arrears with
the Inland Revenue.

He denied ever making any threats.

Holman also claimed the pnds stlng 75,000 was for a legitimate debt
for her efforts to ‘sort out his lifestyle’.

She said she loved him and had never made any threats.

She also
claimed she had only known of the pnds stlng 150,000 a few days before
her arrest.

They both deny blackmailing Mr Williamson between March and
September last year, forging the letter and using it with intent to
obtain property by deception between March and October and obtaining
property by deception over the same dates.

The trial continues.

ENDS
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