Thomas Joseph McLoughlin jailed
Some would argue that it isn’t fair to kick a man when he’s down. In the case of Thomas McLoughlin, jailed today for 14 months at Isleworth Crown Court, I’ll make a much deserved exception.
Like many others who encountered McLoughlin in Belgravia, Chelsea, Kensington, Knightsbridge and Mayfair, he was introduced as a “brand ambassador for American Express”. On this basis, he appeared at a restaurant owned by a good friend, took hospitality and then subsequently subjected those of us who had generously hosted and been taken in by his lies to a torrent of verbal abuse.
In turn, it was revealed that not only was this fraudster – who actually lived in Chelsea’s Sutton Dwellings rather than, as he claimed, in Knightsbridge’s Ennismore Gardens – nothing to do with AMEX, but also that he was neither a “private aviation entrepreneur” nor a dealmaker who’d brokered the sale of football clubs.
Given this character’s appalling behaviour, it was therefore not surprising to receive close to fifty comments about his activities in response to his “What’s on your mantelpiece?” answers on our pages. As an editor, at this point, I could have taken this interview down but I am now glad I didn’t. It shall remain for all to see in perpetuity and is actually clearly illustrative of the thought processes that led this truly deceptive individual on the road that eventually took him to today’s final court hearing.
Sadly the episode of the BBC’s Bargain Hunt in which this vain crook appeared – and told yet further lies about his career history – is no longer available online so here once again, I publish “Tom” McLoughlin’s photograph. It is the only image of this conman available in the public domain and given he requested it be taken in the first place, I am pleased to continue to share it with interested parties.
As McLoughlin faces his first night in jail, the public should be warned that this obnoxious charlatan – who has been convicted of fraud offences on previous occasions – will be out most probably within 7 months. Sadly, it is more than likely that he will return to his old haunts to seek out new targets and equally, like a leopard, we doubt he’ll change his spots.
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