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Antiques fraudster jailed for duping elderly and vulnerable victims

|News, Fraud and economic crime

A fraudster, who duped elderly and vulnerable victims by valuing and offering to sell their artwork and antiques before pocketing the money, has been jailed for 5 and a half years. 

Peter Taylor, 61, targeted 11 victims, fleecing them out of a total of £255,000 between March 2016 and January 2019. The items included artworks, rugs, jewellery, furniture and kitchenware. 

Today (Thursday, 31 March 2022) at Isleworth Crown Court he was sentenced to 5 and a half years. He was found guilty of 11 counts of fraud by false representation following a trial which concluded at the same court in January. 

Taylor would attend the victims’ homes to make valuations before taking the items. He would tell them that if the items were sold then they would get the proceeds. But in most instances he ceased contact with the victims. 

One victim had a cuckoo clock valued at £2,500 which was featured on eBay for £500. A gold ring valued at £450 was also sold for £28. Another victim lost £112,000 through the fraud. 

Helen Shaw, from the CPS, said: “Peter Taylor presented himself as a trustworthy businessman from a reputable auction house – but in fact he was far from this. 

“Taylor dishonestly took precious items from his victims and either sold them on for less than they were worth or held on to them for his own gain. 

“During the trial a number of the victims gave vital evidence detailing the fraud, and the difficult toll that it had taken on their personal lives and finances. Many of the victims described being left feeling anxious and stressed by the scam. 

“Fraud can have a profound effect on the confidence of victims and the CPS is dedicated to rooting out those who carry out this type of crime so that they can face justice.” 

Notes to editors

  • Peter Taylor (DOB: 23/3/1960) is from Twickenham in the London borough of Richmond.
  • Helen Shaw is a District Crown Prosecutor within the Crown Court unit in CPS London South.
  • The London South Crown Court Unit is a dedicated team, serving the south London, Westminster and City of London communities, prosecuting a wide range of cases deemed too serious or complex to be dealt with in the magistrates’ courts. These cases include attempted murders (requiring the existence of an intention to kill), armed robberies, complex frauds, serious assaults and major public disorder, firearms offences and offences involving the trafficking and supply of drugs. The casework is often high-profile and complex, with the unit frequently prosecuting conspiracies to commit offences, multi-defendant trials and cases involving significant gang activity or other serious organised crime.

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