‘Old rogue’ jailed for fraud

AN ageing lothario, who “charmed” a French millionairess into bed and then conned her out of her cash, was jailed for one year yesterday.

Frank Hogart, 72, posed as a top international tax lawyer blessed with impressive linguist skills, homes around the world and an exciting childhood in Egypt and Morocco with a Scottish diplomat father.

London’s Southwark Crown Court heard that during their two-year relationship, his much younger lover showered him with clothes, let him move into her luxury apartment and gave him the reins of one of her companies.

In return, Catherine Daudin — the head of a corporate gift and kitchenware consultancy empire — got “tall stories” and a “tangled web of deceit.”

He even played the sympathy card, claiming to have cancer and inventing a daughter who had died.

She ended up so “blinded by love” she even forgave him for two-timing her with an ex-girlfriend.

But when he broke her heart a second time with another fling, she also discovered that he had betrayed her in business as well, so she kicked him out and called the police.

The pensioner — once described by another ex-lover he swindled as an “ageing confidence trickster and serial seducer” — claimed in court he was the victim of a woman scorned by his refusal to marry.

His ploy failed and Hogart, of West Halkyn Street, Belgravia, central London, was convicted by a jury of 13 counts of forgery and five of theft involving more than £60,000 between March 1, 2002, and April 15, 2003.

Hogart, who had a previous conviction in France for fraud, stood impassively in the dock as Judge Stephen Robbins told him: “You are undoubtedly a charming and dishonest rogue as your track record demonstrates.”