Fraudster’s kosher claim at confiscation hearing
A FINANCIAL adviser who stole £15 million from investors failed to attend court on Wednesday as his lawyer claimed he feared he would not be able to prepare kosher food for himself if he moved to a tougher jail.
Freddy David, 51, used his good reputation within the Jewish community as managing director of HBFS Wealth Management to sell non-existent investment products to his clients.
David stole a total of £14,545,594 from a total of 55 clients over ten years. He admitted fraud charges and was jailed for six years at Southwark Crown Court in 2018.
David is now facing a confiscation hearing in which the prosecution will probe his assets in a bid to claw back the missing millions. But David refused to get into the van at Ford open prison in
West Sussex — and he may now be moved to the harsher regime of HMP Wandsworth. Sophie O’Sullivan, defending, said: “He is anxious of not being able to return to Ford.
“Ford allows him to prepare his food because of the open facilities, and by preparing his food he can adhere to his faith. He did not wish to not attend today.”
But Judge Deborah Taylor said: “This court has dealt with many Orthodox Jewish defendants and it has not been an issue before.”
Judge Taylor postponed the hearing until Thursday. David, of Hartfield Avenue, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, admitted one count of fraud by abuse of position and one count of obtaining a money transfer by deception. The hearing continues.