Theatrical legend from Clapham fleeced of life savings by Wallington crook

Elspeth Cochrane, a literary agent from Clapham Common, was fleeced of £63,000 by Tony Barlow, 70, after he bled dry accounts belonging to operatic producer Alan Sievewright.

Barlow targeted Miss Cochrane in 2007, after stealing – according to prosecutors – more than £100,000 from long-term friend Mr Sievewright, a well-known theatrical impresario who died that year.

Despite her age, Miss Cochrane’s company, Elspeth Cochrane Personal Management, was still a lucrative business because royalties from deceased clients were constantly being paid into its accounts.

The former personal assistant to Hollywood great James Mason had built up a roster of clients since the 1960s, and was credited with discovering Sir Ian McKellen.

Throughout 2007, Barlow helped her on a voluntary basis after being recommended by a mutual friend.

But due to her poor health he gradually gained unrestricted access to her bank accounts and leeched £63,000 over two years.

When police – who had been alerted to Barlow’s crimes by Mr Sievewright’s niece – contacted Miss Cochrane, they discovered the previously comfortable pensioner was in financial dire straits, with accounts overdrawn, letters from bailiffs and unpaid bills.

She had planned to move into Denville Hall, in Middlesex, which is an expensive care home for retired professional actors and actresses – but the theft of her life savings ended this dream.

In a victim impact statement, read out in court, Miss Cochrane told of her humiliation and horror at finding out she had lost all of her money and could not move into Denville Hall.

Detective Sergeant Andy Wickens, who led the investigation, said: “You can’t fail to get personally involved in a case like this. It was an appalling breach of trust.”

Barlow, of Park Hill Road, Wallington, was handed a 40-month prison sentence on Tuesday, March 22, at Croydon Crown Court after he pleaded guilty to nine counts of theft.