Alex Menary successful prosecutes Crimewatch fraudster

December 12, 2014

Alex Menary, prosecuting on behalf of the North Eastern Complex Crime Unit, has successfully secured a conviction of serial fraudster John Bond at Hull Crown Court for offences of Perverting the Course of Justice.

Having previously appeared on BBC’s Crimewatch programme, Bond and his then-partner took out a tenancy agreement on a rented property in Thropton, Northumberland. When the house was sold they refused to leave, before Bond telephoned the Newcastle County Court pretending to be from Age Concern in an attempt to derail possession proceedings brought by the landlord.

Bond’s partner Patricia Streets lied on oath at two subsequent County Court hearings, and the pair submitted forged copies of a Power of Attorney in an attempt to convince the Court that the landlord was acting outside his powers. Further false witness statements were submitted and spurious bankruptcy proceedings were instigated by the pair against the landlord, a respected community veterinarian. His total loss amounted to £55,000 in legal fees and expenses.

Streets was convicted after a trial in July of 2012 and was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment. Bond however had gone on the run, and was not apprehended until February 2014: he was sentenced to 3 years imprisonment.