Police hunting Shropshire conman

A Shropshire conman who spent thousands of pounds of investors' savings on a jet-set lifestyle was being hunted by police today after going on the run from his Old Bailey trial.

Broker Robert Taylor-Barefoot, 33, of Brockhurst, Shifnal, skipped bail and fled his home days before he and 41 year-old business partner Jeremy Wright, of Aylesbury, were due before a jury over the £250,000 scam.

Taylor-Barefoot, who has 11 previous convictions for dishonesty, splashed £9,500 of company funds on his wedding and a further £15,000 at West End nightspot Mahiki - the fashionable haunt frequented by celebrities and royalty, including Prince Harry.

Today he was convicted in his absence of entering into a conspiracy with Wright and duping seven investors into believing their money would be traded in foreign currencies.

Full story in Friday's Shropshire Star