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The many faces of a serial conman The many faces of a serial conman
(about 3 hours later)
By Marie Jackson BBC News Bint has previously been told he has an untreatable psychopathic disorderBy Marie Jackson BBC News Bint has previously been told he has an untreatable psychopathic disorder
He has impersonated an aristocrat, a ballet dancer, a banker, a doctor, a playboy and a policeman.He has impersonated an aristocrat, a ballet dancer, a banker, a doctor, a playboy and a policeman.
In his latest incarnation, Paul Bint, a homeless conman, took the name of one of Britain's most senior legal minds, Keir Starmer, the director of public prosecutions, to pose as a successful criminal barrister.In his latest incarnation, Paul Bint, a homeless conman, took the name of one of Britain's most senior legal minds, Keir Starmer, the director of public prosecutions, to pose as a successful criminal barrister.
Wearing a pin-striped suit and carrying a bundle of papers tied with a ribbon, he managed to convince women he found in lonely hearts adverts that he was a well-connected, wealthy romantic.Wearing a pin-striped suit and carrying a bundle of papers tied with a ribbon, he managed to convince women he found in lonely hearts adverts that he was a well-connected, wealthy romantic.
In truth, he is a former hairdresser surviving on benefits with a string of convictions who has been given the moniker "King Con" by the tabloid press.In truth, he is a former hairdresser surviving on benefits with a string of convictions who has been given the moniker "King Con" by the tabloid press.
Goldeneye carGoldeneye car
With a little research and good acting skills, Bint, 47, wooed women.With a little research and good acting skills, Bint, 47, wooed women.
He boasted of a friendship with Robbie Williams and a former marriage to British comedy actress Sarah Alexander, the star of Coupling and Green Wing who is actually married to fellow actor Peter Serafinowicz.He boasted of a friendship with Robbie Williams and a former marriage to British comedy actress Sarah Alexander, the star of Coupling and Green Wing who is actually married to fellow actor Peter Serafinowicz.
He also told them he drove the Aston Martin used in James Bond film Goldeneye and promised to take them on exotic holidays.He also told them he drove the Aston Martin used in James Bond film Goldeneye and promised to take them on exotic holidays.
And when another man appeared to be competing for one woman's affections, he warned her off by accusing his rival of beating women.And when another man appeared to be competing for one woman's affections, he warned her off by accusing his rival of beating women.
Bint passed himself off as director of public prosecutions Keir StarmerBint passed himself off as director of public prosecutions Keir Starmer
On Monday, a jury at Southwark Crown Court found Bint guilty of five counts including theft and fraud by false representation during the weeks he spent posing as a lawyer in April and May this year.On Monday, a jury at Southwark Crown Court found Bint guilty of five counts including theft and fraud by false representation during the weeks he spent posing as a lawyer in April and May this year.
He was cleared of 11 further offences of credit card fraud and driving while disqualified.He was cleared of 11 further offences of credit card fraud and driving while disqualified.
The convictions are nothing new however. His 25-year history of offending has seen him con cash, expensive cars and hotel suites out of a string of victims.The convictions are nothing new however. His 25-year history of offending has seen him con cash, expensive cars and hotel suites out of a string of victims.
Bint's penchant for role play first came to light in 1983, when he was discovered posing as a locum doctor at hospitals in north-west England.Bint's penchant for role play first came to light in 1983, when he was discovered posing as a locum doctor at hospitals in north-west England.
It emerged he groped a woman's breast, saying: "Trust me, I'm a doctor." He also tried to bluff his way into a heart bypass operation.It emerged he groped a woman's breast, saying: "Trust me, I'm a doctor." He also tried to bluff his way into a heart bypass operation.
Later, he moved on to elaborate car scams, often posing as a wealthy aristocrat or businessman interested in top-of-the-range models.Later, he moved on to elaborate car scams, often posing as a wealthy aristocrat or businessman interested in top-of-the-range models.
In August 2000, Bint was jailed for nine months at Newcastle Crown Court for conning rail chiefs into putting him up in a luxury hotel by pretending to be a QC in the Lockerbie bombing trial.In August 2000, Bint was jailed for nine months at Newcastle Crown Court for conning rail chiefs into putting him up in a luxury hotel by pretending to be a QC in the Lockerbie bombing trial.
Three years later, he tricked a hospital consultant into believing he was Orlando Pownall QC, a prosecuting lawyer in the Jill Dando murder case.Three years later, he tricked a hospital consultant into believing he was Orlando Pownall QC, a prosecuting lawyer in the Jill Dando murder case.
Bint stole £60 and her gold credit card after she let him stay at her Hampstead home to recover from a make-believe car crash.Bint stole £60 and her gold credit card after she let him stay at her Hampstead home to recover from a make-believe car crash.
Bint told women he had been married to actress Sarah AlexanderBint told women he had been married to actress Sarah Alexander
At the sentencing, the judge said a psychiatric report concluded that Bint was suffering from an untreatable psychopathic disorder.At the sentencing, the judge said a psychiatric report concluded that Bint was suffering from an untreatable psychopathic disorder.
Over the years, other people have tried to see into Bint's mind and fathom his motivation.Over the years, other people have tried to see into Bint's mind and fathom his motivation.
In the latest trial, prosecutors suggested Bint had been motivated by financial gains, but also by a need to boost his own self-esteem.In the latest trial, prosecutors suggested Bint had been motivated by financial gains, but also by a need to boost his own self-esteem.
Bint, himself, rejected the notion he was a conman, saying he could have stolen "hundreds of thousands" of pounds but never had.Bint, himself, rejected the notion he was a conman, saying he could have stolen "hundreds of thousands" of pounds but never had.
He said pretending made him feel good, even though he knew he was deceiving people.He said pretending made him feel good, even though he knew he was deceiving people.
"It makes me feel very good that someone thinks I am a good person and I'm successful," he told jurors."It makes me feel very good that someone thinks I am a good person and I'm successful," he told jurors.
His desire to escape his own identity has been linked to an unhappy youth spent in a children's home after his parents split up.His desire to escape his own identity has been linked to an unhappy youth spent in a children's home after his parents split up.
Some years ago, Bint told BBC's Everyman programme: "I would like to stop pretending I am something I am not and accept I am what I am.Some years ago, Bint told BBC's Everyman programme: "I would like to stop pretending I am something I am not and accept I am what I am.
"I have spent my life running away from things that are extremely painful to me. Others drink or take drugs to escape, but the way I have done it is by being other people.""I have spent my life running away from things that are extremely painful to me. Others drink or take drugs to escape, but the way I have done it is by being other people."
But the sincerity of Bint's remarks to the programme remains uncertain.But the sincerity of Bint's remarks to the programme remains uncertain.
He also told Everyman about another scam in which he stolen a red Ferrari from an earl. But when programme makers contacted the earl, he said he had never heard of Bint - nor had he ever owned a red Ferrari. He also told Everyman about another scam in which he had stolen a red Ferrari from an earl. But when programme makers contacted the earl, he said he had never heard of Bint - nor had he ever owned a red Ferrari.