This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-25133917

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Carole Waugh murder: Conman Bhayani jailed for 27 years Carole Waugh murder: Conman Bhayani jailed for 27 years
(about 3 hours later)
A serial conman has been sentenced to life in prison after he was found guilty of murdering a wealthy woman.A serial conman has been sentenced to life in prison after he was found guilty of murdering a wealthy woman.
Rakesh Bhayani, 41, from Wembley, north London, was ordered at the Old Bailey to serve a minimum of 27 years.Rakesh Bhayani, 41, from Wembley, north London, was ordered at the Old Bailey to serve a minimum of 27 years.
Carole Waugh, 49, was stabbed in her flat in Marylebone, central London, last year. Her body was found in a garage in south London months later.Carole Waugh, 49, was stabbed in her flat in Marylebone, central London, last year. Her body was found in a garage in south London months later.
Sentencing Bhayani, Mr Justice Wilkie said he "ruthlessly targeted" Ms Waugh and "left her body to rot".Sentencing Bhayani, Mr Justice Wilkie said he "ruthlessly targeted" Ms Waugh and "left her body to rot".
Co-accused Nicholas Kutner, 48, from Kentish Town, north London, who had been cleared of murder but found guilty of perverting the course of justice by concealing Ms Waugh's death, was jailed for a total of 13 years.Co-accused Nicholas Kutner, 48, from Kentish Town, north London, who had been cleared of murder but found guilty of perverting the course of justice by concealing Ms Waugh's death, was jailed for a total of 13 years.
He was sentenced to seven years for perverting the course of justice by concealing the death and six years for conspiracy to defraud.He was sentenced to seven years for perverting the course of justice by concealing the death and six years for conspiracy to defraud.
'Stabbed in neck' 'Broken hearted'
Bhayani was also sentenced to six years for perverting the course of justice and six years for conspiracy to defraud - both of which will run concurrently with his life sentence.Bhayani was also sentenced to six years for perverting the course of justice and six years for conspiracy to defraud - both of which will run concurrently with his life sentence.
Following sentencing, her brother Christopher Waugh, 55, said: "They will sleep easily in their beds as they showed no remorse at all. I just can't envisage any human being treating another human being like that."
Mr Waugh said the police's handling of the case had been "frustrating".
"Right up to July the police did not take our concern seriously," he said.
"They thought Carole was a grown woman, out enjoying herself with friends."
Investigating Officer Justin Davies, who took over the case when it turned into a homicide investigation in July 2012, said: "The time it took for the homicide investigation to start up led to delays, in particular in areas of evidence that we would ordinarily look at.
"Bhayani and Kutner cleared out the flat which impacted on forensic and CCTV opportunities.
"Carole's lifestyle itself caused several difficulties. She was engaged as an escort, which is a profession where you put yourself at risk. You are meeting people that you ordinarily would not have met before."
'Breathtakingly wicked'
The court heard that five days after Ms Waugh's funeral, her mother collapsed and later died "broken-hearted", unable to understand how and why the tragic events unfolded.
Mr Justice Wilkie said the murder and subsequent dumping of Ms Waugh's body was done with "greed, callousness and total lack of any regard" for her.Mr Justice Wilkie said the murder and subsequent dumping of Ms Waugh's body was done with "greed, callousness and total lack of any regard" for her.
The murder had arisen "out of an argument about money", and the judge described the victim as a "risk taker and manifestly vulnerable to conmen". He said Bhayani's actions in persisting with the fraud after killing Ms Waugh were "breathtakingly wicked".
The murder had arisen "out of an argument about money", and the judge described the victim as a "risk-taker and manifestly vulnerable to conmen".
"Without a second thought, you calmly and comprehensively set about stealing her identity," Mr Justice Wilkie said."Without a second thought, you calmly and comprehensively set about stealing her identity," Mr Justice Wilkie said.
"You took steps to ensure her body would not be found for a sufficient time."
The judge said Bhayani embarked on the complete "asset-stripping of her persona".The judge said Bhayani embarked on the complete "asset-stripping of her persona".
Bhayani denied murder but admitted perverting the course of justice and conspiracy to defraud.Bhayani denied murder but admitted perverting the course of justice and conspiracy to defraud.
'Sheer greed'
Ms Waugh's family were in court for the sentencing and heard the murder was "not premeditated or pre-planned".Ms Waugh's family were in court for the sentencing and heard the murder was "not premeditated or pre-planned".
'Broken hearted'
Before the sentencing, a statement from Ms Waugh's family was read out in which she was described as "loving, supportive and great fun".
The statement, signed by her brother Christopher Waugh, spoke of the "disbelief, dismay, darkness" as the family had to "face our worst fears" in the wake of the murder.
"Why did the authorities not take her disappearance seriously?" the statement asked.
The court heard that five days after Ms Waugh's funeral, her mother collapsed and later died "broken-hearted", unable to understand how and why the tragic events unfolded.
The statement said the family always looked forward to Ms Waugh's visits, "especially mum".
"She always had great stories to tell," the Old Bailey heard.
The judge said Bhayani was the "instigator and chief organiser of the fraud", and said the pair spent Ms Waugh's money on "hotels, casinos and escorts".The judge said Bhayani was the "instigator and chief organiser of the fraud", and said the pair spent Ms Waugh's money on "hotels, casinos and escorts".
The court heard earlier that Bhayani had a "deep-seated and unavoidable addiction to gambling". Mr Justice Wilkie said the concealment of Ms Waugh's body was "a job for two people" and said they were both "motivated by sheer greed".
Mr Justice Wilkie said Kutner was in the flat when Bhayani murdered Ms Waugh and was then "on board with the actions to conceal her death and thwart the investigation" into her murder. During the trial, prosecutors told the jury that "the evidence strongly suggests" Ms Waugh, originally from Haswell in County Durham, was stabbed in the neck at her home on 16 April 2012.
He said the concealment of Ms Waugh's body was "a job for two people" and said they were both "motivated by sheer greed".
The men had an "appalling record" for offences of dishonesty, he added.
Police described Bhayani as "a confidence trickster who murdered her with the sole intention of stripping her assets and the belongings she had worked hard for".
During the trial, prosecutors told the jury that "the evidence strongly suggests" Ms Waugh, originally from Durham, was stabbed in the neck at home on 16 April 2012.
The court heard the former oil company worker was lonely and had been looking for love in the months before her death, as well as working as an escort.The court heard the former oil company worker was lonely and had been looking for love in the months before her death, as well as working as an escort.
She considered Bhayani a friend and had visited him in prison, lending him about £40,000, the court was told.She considered Bhayani a friend and had visited him in prison, lending him about £40,000, the court was told.
Following sentencing, Jenny Hopkins, London deputy chief crown prosecutor, said: "Carole Waugh was the victim of a cruel and callous plot to take her money during which she tragically lost her life." Following sentencing, her brother said it was "quite a shock" for him and his family to learn that his sister had been working as an escort.
Metropolitan Police Det Ch Insp Justin Davies said: "I hope today's conviction and subsequent jail sentence brings some solace to Carole's family."