Keith Cavele, 43, one of the country’s top film pr

Keith Cavele, 43, one of the country’s top film producers,
was found guilty today (Thurs) of cheating investors out of
thousands of pounds.

Cavele, who has worked with many top actors in the film
industry including Timothy Dalton and Dennis Hopper looked shocked
when the Southwark Crown Court jury found him guilty of six charges
of theft.

His latest film called Split Second starred Rutger Hauer
(check spelling), who became famous in the horror film ‘Hitchiker’
and Blade Runner and as the striking blonde man in the Guinness
advertisments.

Cavele’s other films include Hawks starring Timothy Dalton
and the American Way with Dennis Hopper as the lead.

Cavele, who has a young daughter, used his reputation to entice
investors to put money into a new company he set up.

He told
investors that Grentrove Ltd.

, which traded from his lavish home
in Walton Street, Chelsea, London SW, would be used to back
prestigious film productions.

The court heard that over pnds stlng 60,000 was invested by
two interested parties.

Cavele syphoned off the money to prop up two other debt ridden
companies he was a director of.

Mr Phillip Wakeham prosecuting said that the two investors were
misled by Cavele and had no idea that he had used their money to keep
his own companies afloat.

Cavele claimed that the money was used with the investors full
knowledge.

The producer denied a total of 16 charges of theft between
September 20, 1990 and October 20, 1990.

He was found not guilty
of six charges by the jury and the judge directed the jury to clear
him of a further four counts on which they could not agree.

The six charges he was found guilty of totalled over pnds stlng
5,000.

Judge Michael Harris adjourned sentence until April 14 for
reports to be prepared.

Investor Mr Richard Hudson, who claimed he lost tens of
thousands due to Cavele’s illegal activities said outside court:
‘I am glad it is all over and that Cavele has been proved guilty.

This case is a warning to people who are interested in getting
involved in the film industry.

I was duped by this man.

He was very
convincing.

‘
Mr Hudson of Bottoms Farm, Doyton, near Bath is now working
as a film producer himself.

His first film is called ‘The Small
Man’ and stars actress Kerry Fox.

ends