Bogus Bond conman faces life in jail

AN “evil” conman who posed as a bogus MI5 spy telling tales of shadowy IRA killers during a decade-long “odyssey of deceit” was facing a life term last night.

Robert Hendy-Freegard, 34, ruthlessly commandeered the lives of eight people and systematically exploited their weaknesses with a cocktail of “devious charm” and James Bond-type tales of shadowy IRA killers.

Six were women, all were seduced - he was bedding five at the same time - and most got engaged to him.

Many endured years of poverty, and trembled from both his explosive temper and numerous death threats from fictional assassins.

Two of them, young agricultural college students John Atkinson and Sarah Smith, suffered “years on the run” from fictional assassins and were forced to carry out bizarre missions for their tormentor.

Meanwhile he enjoyed a life of unadulterated luxury.

Hendy-Freegard, of High Street, Blyth, Nottinghamshire, showed no reaction as the jury at Blackfriars Crown Court in London unanimously convicted him of kidnapping Mr Atkinson and Ms Smith. He was also found guilty of 10 charges of theft and eight counts of deception.

Sentence was adjourned for a psychiatric report.

During an eight-month trial, the court heard how Mr Atkinson and Miss Smith were “kidnapped by fraud” by claiming terrorists were on their trail.

The silver-tongued Casanova, who turned deception into an art form convinced them to abandon their studies, betray their wealthy farming families and jettison their self-respect.

Police are convinced the former carpenter, ex-barman and one-time car salesman pocketed £1 million (€1.5m) altogether.