A bogus businessman who stole £20,000 worth of jewellery from a widowed mum-of-two he met on the internet is facing prison.
A jury heard how jobless Michael Turner, of Park Square North, Leeds, claimed to have paid £5million for the Majestyk nightclub and lied about his age when he met Bingley woman Philomena Golenya through a dating website.
He said he was involved in business deals and owned properties with his mother and promised to buy his new partner an expensive sports car.
But when she ended their relationship last year, she discovered that a collection of jewellery had been stolen from a wardrobe.
During his trial at Bradford Crown Court Turner claimed she knew he was pawning or selling jewellery for her and that he gave her all the money.
She branded Turner a liar for suggesting that she needed to sell the jewellery, and said he had stolen the items to live the high life in Leeds. Turner was yesterday found guilty of theft.
Judge Peter Benson adjourned Turner’s sentence hearing so that a report could be prepared about him, but he said the offence was “a mean-spirited breach of trust” and custody was inevitable.
Turner, who has a previous conviction for stealing a diamond ring from his step-sister, will be sentenced at Bradford Crown Court on March 5.