A real life ‘Bergerac’ and a racehorse owner set u

A real life ‘Bergerac’ and a racehorse owner set up a pnds stlng
250,000 sting using a top bloodstock trainer to launder a stolen
banker’s draft, a court heard today (Tuesday).

Former Jersey policeman David Watkins recruited businessman
Robin Billingsley to help dispose of the valuable cheque because he
knew he was short of money.

At Southwark Crown Court it was claimed that Watkins, now a
private eye, hit on the scam when Barclays Bank would not advance a
reward on a number of stolen bankers drafts that went missing from
their Edgware Road branch in London.

Mr Nicholas Coleman, prosecuting, alleged that Watkins, a former
Detective Inspector with Jersey Police, and businessman Billingsley
both knew the banker’s draft was stolen.

The cheque was forged and then processed through a bank account
of racehorse trainer John Jenkins, a friend of Billingsley’s, who knew
nothing of the shady origins of the valuable document.

Mr Coleman said that when Barclays would only pay 52-year-old
Watkins a reward based on the arrest and conviction of the thieves,
the ex-policeman turned to Billingsley.

‘What he (watkins) did was sell the banker’s draft to his co-
defendant Billingsley.

Billingsley bought it because he saw this as
an opportunity to clear his debts,’ said counsel.

Mr Coleman said the suggestion was that the cheques had been
stolen by a senior Barclays banker and that Watkins would be paid
pnds stlng 40,000 by Billingsley for the pounds 250,000 forged
draft.

He said that Billingsley went on to ‘launder’ the document ‘as
good as cash’ through his friend Jenkins.

Mr Coleman said: ‘It is made payable to JR Jenkins on 11.

12.

90′
but added the details were bogus.

He said it was one of a number of the valuable papers that came
into Watkin’s possession and through Billingsley was passed on to
the ‘innocent’ Jenkins.

‘Mr Jenkins is a racehorse trainer who lives in Royston, Herts.

Billingsley had a substantial interest in race horse training and
horses,’ he added.

The court heard that Mr Jenkins believed he was to receive a
pnds stlng 100,000 loan at a rate more favourable than his
pnds stlng 450,000 mortgage with the bank or Ireland, while the
balance was to be used by Billingsley.

Trainer Jenkins later
transferred pnds stlng 50,000 to pay mortgage interest.

But the court heard how Billingsley used an arrangement with
his friend’s bank manager to order a list of payments:
+ pndss stlng 30,000 to his wife who he owed a ‘considerable’
debt.

+ pnds stlng 10,000 to the agents of the Jockey Club.

+ pnds stlng 10,000 to Southport trainer Ginger McCain, the man
behind legendary Red Rum.

+ pnds stlng 10,000 to Billingsley himself.

Mr Coleman said Billingsley convinced Mr Jenkins that the money
was coming from abroad after a will was settled.

Both men met with
the trainer’s bank manager who was impressed by the deal.

He said Billingsley was introduced to the bank official as ‘a
wealthy racehorse owner’ and that the balance would be later
withdrawn, pnds stlng 40,000 in cash.

Mr Jenkins was soon to learn the draft had been stolen and
immediately telephoned Billingsley.

Mr Coleman added: ‘Billingsley who purported – the Crown say
masqueraded because he knew all along – to be extremely annoyed.

‘
Billingsley, 49, of Glentworth Street, Marylebone, North London,
denies two charges of handling stolen goods between July and
December 1990.

Watkins, 52, of Saramar, La Roque, Jersey, denies two charges
of handling stolen goods between the same dates.

ends/mfl

add launder.

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