A chartered accountant who stole £2.4m from a number of victims including his own church and bestselling author Hanif Kureishi over more than a decade has been jailed for eight years today (July 3).
Adam Woricker, 41, of Main Road, Woodham Ferrers, dramatically changed his 32 pleas yesterday to guilty after a jury was sworn in at Chelmsford Crown Court ahead of what was expected to be a month-long trial.
His change of heart came after being "shamed" by his former church leader, Rev Eric Fenwick, who gave evidence against him.
The court heard how Woricker fooled investors with promises of 15 to 25 per cent interest returns, doctored bank accounts, stole from pension funds and cheques and overspent on credit cards from April 2011 to November 2012.
He blew the cash to buy an Audi Q7, a Mercedes, nights at luxury hotels in Istanbul, Marbella and Bangkok, shopping sprees to Russell & Bromley and Karen Millen, and thousands of pounds worth of gifts to his girlfriend, who he later married.
He was described by Hanif Kurieishi, as "evil", according to prosecution barrister Mr Mark Halsey.
The writer of the book and film My Beautiful Laundrette, lost £120,000 after being persuaded to invest in a property deal with Woricker.
In court, it emerged that Woricker spent large amounts on his Albanian wife, Miss Florentina Blacku, who he married in a secret ceremony in 2009 without telling his family. The marriage remained unconsummated, however.
During their marriage, Miss Blacku went back to Albania three times and returned pregnant by her ex-boyfriend on each occasion.
In total, Woricker stole £2.4m which was spent on luxury hotels, holidays, cars and gifts to his girlfriend including £9,800 in Ernest Jones.
Woricker stole £120,000 from his family church, the Eastern Area Congregational Federation Charity, between January 26, 2002 and December 8, 2012.
The court heard the thefts took place while Woricker worked as a partner at London-based chartered accountants Fisher Phillips between January 2002 and June 2012.
Sentencing, Judge David Turner QC, said: "You spent money in dozens of shops in restaurants, on vehicles, on consumer goods, on one occasion in Ann Summers. You went on holiday in the UK, Spain, Gibraltar, Thailand, Albania, and Switzerland.
"It seems Miss Blacku was living a parallel life in Albania.
"This is a sad and shameful day for you and a truly painful one for your family in court.
"You were a chartered accountant, church leader and charity supporter and at present your life, reputation and finances lie in tatters.
"On the second day you finally faced up to your guilt that you should have admitted months ago.
"You approached old friend's clients and your minister and other church contacts and businesses and you shamelessly exploited their trust in you.
"This is sometimes called a Ponzi scheme in which you protracted, stalled, covered up, and lied.
"You took clients' money, church money, and a pension which was especially dishonest, and lied to cover your tracks and left a legacy of hurt, embarrassment and humiliation.
"And I haven't got anywhere near the full story.
"Much was squandered for self-indulgent ends on a lifestyle of extravagance lavishly spending on your partner."
Mitigating, Mr Richard Keogh said: "He stated that he fell for Miss Blacku and his marriage was born out of affection. He was married in 2009 but it was never consummated and they did live together.
"He gave her in excess of £100,000 and the defendant was truly smitten but he accepts this was no excuse."
He even stole £25,000 from Rev Eric Fenwick, the Mission and Society representative of the congregational church in Chapel Row, which Mr Woricker has close family ties with and he was treasurer of.
Woricker's parents were present at the trial which was expected to last a month.
Mitigating, Richard Keogh said: "It's a tragedy for all those who lost money and a now a tragedy for him and he will have to pay the price.
"He has let everyone down. He apologises from the bottom of his heart.
"He led a moral life up until four years ago and lived a sheltered existence.
"He was seduced by romance, love and money and allowed to spiral out of control – he admits that maybe prison is the best place for him."
Woricker claimed that he was also tempted into a building project based in Peckham which went bust.
Mr Keogh added: "He was ripped off by others as well."
In total, Worwicker admitted 29 counts of theft, two counts of forgery and one count of using a false instrument, namely a Lloyds bank statement which he knew or believed to be false. 22 fraud charges will remain on file.
