Society conman to face extradition hearing

An international society conman jailed in Ireland after going on a spending spree with a stolen credit card and wanted in three countries is to face an extradition hearing within weeks, the High Court heard today.

The man’s identity is not known for sure but Interpol believe him to be Juan Carlos Guzman Betancourt, a 30-year-old son of Colombian diplomats.

He claimed to be Alejandro Cuenca (aged 25), from Cadiz in Spain, when he was arrested by gardaí last year after tricking his way into a suite at Dublin’s exclusive Merrion Hotel, just 10 days after escaping prison in the UK.

Inside the room, he stole a ruby ring, a passport, credit cards, a gold chain, a wedding ring and cash.

He then embarked on a spending spree at city centre jewellers with a stolen card, buying himself a €16,000 Rolex watch and other luxury items.

He is believed to be wanted in Britain to serve the remainder of a three and a half year sentence for similar crimes, of which he had only served eight weeks when he escaped.

Extradition inquiries have also been received from France and the US for the man compared to the fictional jewel thief Raffles and reputed to have up to 15 aliases in a number of jurisdictions.

Dressed in a blue hooded top, an open blue shirt and jeans, and handcuffed to gardaí, he was led into Bow Street courthouse for today’s brief hearing.

Mr Justice Michael Peart heard that a European Arrest Warrant had been issued for the convict, and the case was ready to proceed as soon as the state had time to respond to a written affidavit.

He remanded Betancourt in continuing custody to appear again for the extradition hearing on November 23.