Ex-public schoolboy in £80k con on widow
A PRIVATELY educated musician was among a group of beggars who fleeced a retired businesswoman out of up to £80,000 over 20 years.
Heroin addict Joseph Montgomery Carlisle, who went to the same independent school as singer Lily Allen, “systematically milked” 82-year-old Sylvia Moynihan out of money at her home in Kensington, a court heard.
Over six months he scammed Mrs Moynihan out of nearly £3,000 to buy drugs. His victim was dubbed the “Tiger of the City” during her career at international law firms and as an executive at the French interior ministry as well as a director of a financial services company.
Carlisle, 27, also conned two other people into handing over money — saying he needed it to pay for a taxi but instead using the cash to feed his £1,000-a-week heroin habit.
He was educated at Bedales School near Petersfield, Hampshire, which costs up to £35,000 per year. Other ex-pupils there include TV presenter Kirstie Allsopp and Tory former MP Gyles Brandreth.
Carlisle, from Wimbledon, who performed as a guitarist in the band The .357s, was jailed for 46 weeks by Isleworth crown court after admitting fraud and harassment charges.
Judge Simon Davis told him: “You deliberately targeted an 82-year-old woman over a period of six months.
“You had an extremely privileged start in this life, you acknowledge that. You systematically milked this elderly lady. You quite rightly acknowledge that this was behaviour beneath contempt.
“I suspect that from time to time you acknowledged this while you were doing it but in your own greed and addiction you continued.
“So you fleeced her out of nearly £3,000. Some you say you paid back from time to time — but you took advantage of her good nature.”
Mrs Moynihan, the widow of banker husband Donald, said she handed out £80,000 to a group of beggars who would turn up at her door.
Carlisle, who appeared on a videolink from Wormwood Scrubs, said: “My deceptions were all to pay for drugs I am no longer using. I never want to do drugs again.” Prosecutor Douglas Adams said Carlisle’s ruse to acquire drugs money involved calling at people’s homes and giving them a sob story.
He added: “Carlisle focused in particular on Mrs Moynihan, who lives alone. Last December he knocked on her door, gave his name and said he desperately needed to borrow cash for a taxi and would pay her back.
“She believed him and gave £30 but hi s requests continued over six months. It got too much for her.”
Andrew McRae, 45, of Kensington, was jailed for 17 weeks for harassing Mrs Moynihan for more than £30,000. Tom Lonsdale, 44, also of Kensington, was jailed for seven weeks for harassing her into handing over £1,690.
Other men believed to have stolen some of the money Mrs Moynihan lost are still being sought.