An alleged fraudster conned pensioners out of £195,000 by posing as an antiques dealer, a court has been told.
Peter Taylor, 61, is accused of posting fake leaflets and business cards to elderly residents of Kensington and Chelsea in west London .
Isleworth Crown Court heard that Taylor pretended to work for real firm Chelsea Auction House for three years, from March 2016 to February 2019.
Posing as a valuer, he found 14 victims who asked him to examine and value their goods but not sell them.
Taylor collected expensive items from homes and businesses, and promised to inspect and value them.
But Taylor did in fact sell these goods, without their owners' permission, the court heard.
He sold many items before a valuation had been agreed and often did not give money to the real owners, according to the Telegraph newspaper today.
Taylor pleaded not guilty to 14 counts of fraud.
Taylor, who lives in Twickenham, would frequently go quiet when worried owners tried to contact him.
The court heard he often did not return phone calls or texts about the missing items.
Many victims only realised their items had vanished when they saw them up for sale at an auctioneers or online.
One restaurant owner said he lost £112,000 after Taylor sold some of his valuable furniture.
Other people say they are missing expensive paintings and ornaments.
Taylor was known as Peter Tillott during the time of the alleged offending, according to prosecutors.
He also traded under a company called Muck2Brass.
Prosecutor Katrina Charles said: "If the items were sold, he said proceeds would be sent to the complainants."
The trial continues.
