€2.9m Lib Dem donation came from stolen fortune, court told

A bogus bond dealer used a fortune stolen from a hapless investor to donate a record £2.4m (€2.9m) to the English Liberal Democratic party, a court heard today.

Michael Brown, whose apparent political largesse was designed to “create the impression he was a well-connected man”, used millions more plundered cash to fund an “extravagant lifestyle,” meet business expenses and keep other investors happy with “pretend” returns, it was claimed.

“After all he had a front to maintain,” said Martin Edmund QC, prosecuting.

When his “lies” began to “unravel”, the Glasgow-born businessman used a sheaf of false documents in a bid to defray suspicion, London’s Southwark Crown Court was told.

The barrister alleged the defendant – who is being tried in his absence - finally sought to put “entirely inappropriate and criminal pressure” on investors “not to pursue complaints to police”.

Brown, 42, of Templewood Avenue, Hampstead, denies committing a total of nine offences between February 9, 2005 and April 17, 2006.

They include three alleging theft of a total of $11,348,003 (€8,789,776) from Charles Martin Edwards and three of transferring criminal property in the same overall amount.

In addition, one allegation claims he furnished false investment information, a second accuses him of obtaining a money transfer of $10m (€7.74m) by deception, while a third charges him with perverting the course of justice.