Celebrity photographer ruined by assistant who stole £565,000

A “PARASITIC” personal assistant swindled £565,000 from an acclaimed celebrity photographer while using his reputation to rub shoulders with the Rolling Stones and the Beckhams.

Caron Westbrook, 53, forged cheques from David Hogan, who had built a career from decades of photographing A-listers.

She cashed in on his success to establish herself as a photographer at high-profile events, posing for photos with movie stars such as Tom Cruise. She worked for Mr Hogan from 2003 to 2014, accruing an illicit fortune that allowed her to live in a host of million-pound properties and enjoy expensive clothing and holidays.

Isleworth Crown Court heard she exploited Mr Hogan’s dyslexia to assert “unrestricted access” over his finances. He was forced to sell three homes, can no longer get a mortgage because of poor credit ratings and lives in rented accommodation.

Westbrook, who has 44 convictions stretching back decades, including theft and fraud, was jailed for five and a half years after admitting theft and transferring criminal property. Her husband, Martin Westbrook, 49, who helped funnel the stolen money through his company, was sentenced to three years and four months for transferring criminal property, converting criminal property and fraud.

Judge John Denniss said: “[Mr Hogan] and his family became the victim of a couple, who displayed parasitic behaviour toward him.”

Mr Hogan, 56, said: “I think she was aspiring to be me and have my lifestyle. She was trying to take over my life. She is just evil.”