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Author was 'murdered for wealth' Author was 'murdered for wealth'
(30 minutes later)
A reclusive millionaire author was murdered by a man who stole his identity in order to plunder his wealth, the Old Bailey has heard.A reclusive millionaire author was murdered by a man who stole his identity in order to plunder his wealth, the Old Bailey has heard.
Allan Chappelow, 86, was found beaten to death at his home in Downshire Hill, Hampstead, north-west London, in 2006.Allan Chappelow, 86, was found beaten to death at his home in Downshire Hill, Hampstead, north-west London, in 2006.
His body was hidden for about a month as a man stole his post in order to access his finances, jurors heard.His body was hidden for about a month as a man stole his post in order to access his finances, jurors heard.
Wang Yam, 46, of Hampstead, denies murder, burglary and four dishonesty offences. Wang Yam, 46, of Hampstead, denies murder, burglary as well as four dishonesty offences.
Private hearing The charges include obtaining a money transfer of £20,000 by pretending to be the writer and taking four cheques and post from the house.
The charges include obtaining a money transfer of £20,000 by pretending to be the writer and taking four cheques and mail from the house. Missing post
The court heard Mr Chappelow's body was found under a pile of papers in a room at the dilapidated house, which is thought to be valued at £2.5m.The court heard Mr Chappelow's body was found under a pile of papers in a room at the dilapidated house, which is thought to be valued at £2.5m.
Prosecutor Mark Ellison said the killer and thief was Mr Yam. Mr Ellison said Mr Chappelow had returned from a trip to America on 1 May and found his front door had been forced open and his post stolen.
He was described by a neighbour as quite eccentric Prosecutor Mark Ellison This would have included correspondence about a "substantial amount of money" in his accounts.
Mr Ellison said: "The murder of Allan Chappelow and the concealment of his body was not unconnected to the access and manipulation of his accounts." The last time he was known to be alive was on 8 May when he telephoned the Inland Revenue to check that a tax rebate had not been amongst the missing post.
Before the case started jurors were told that part of the case would be heard "in camera" when the press and public would be excluded. Highly intelligent
Mr Justice Ouseley said they would be told exactly why on Monday and they were warned against speculating. Mr Ellison said Mr Yam was using a form of identity theft know as "facility takeover" where the thief would impersonate the victim over the internet or telephone.
"I am not going to explain why this is so at the moment. It will become apparent to you when it arises," he said. The court heard how Mr Chappelow had been a successful author, particularly in the 1960s when he wrote two biographies of George Bernard Shaw.
The court heard how the victim had been a successful author, particularly in the 1960s when he wrote two biographies of George Bernard Shaw.
At the time of his death he lived alone in a large detached house with rubbish piled up on the inside and out.At the time of his death he lived alone in a large detached house with rubbish piled up on the inside and out.
Mr Ellison said: "He was not only elderly but reclusive. He was described by a neighbour as quite eccentric. Mr Ellison said: "He was not only elderly but reclusive. He was described by a neighbour as quite eccentric."
"The garden was heavily overgrown and often he did not go to the door when callers came to it." But despite being forgetful, Mr Chappelow "was regarded by those who knew him as highly intelligent and able to operate his affairs", he said.
But despite being forgetful, Mr Cappelow "was regarded by those who knew him as highly intelligent and able to operate his affairs", he said. Before the case started jurors were told that part of the trial would be heard "in camera" where the press and public would be excluded.
The trial continues.