‘Conman boyfriend, 56, stole widow’s jewellery worth £20,000’ (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

‘Conman boyfriend, 56, stole widow’s jewellery worth £20,000’

6:50am Thursday 7th February 2013 in News

A jobless man stole a wealthy widow’s jewellery after posing as a multi-millionaire business tycoon, a jury was told.

Michael Turner (pictured) pawned and sold Philomena Golenya’s £20,000 collection of gold and diamond necklaces, bracelets and earrings when they began a relationship after meeting through internet dating site Plentyoffish, it is alleged.

Turner, 56, lied about his age and told Miss Golenya, from the Aire Valley, that he had bought the Majestic nightclub in Leeds for £5 million when he was actually claiming benefits, Bradford Crown Court heard.

Turner, of Park Square North, Leeds, denies stealing jewellery from Miss Golenya between October 1, 2011, and March 9, 2012.

He told the jury Miss Golenya, of Lady Lane, Bingley, gave him the jewellery to pawn and sell to raise money for home improvements.

Miss Golenya, the mother of two daughters, says Turner claimed he was a 45-year-old successful businessman.

She says he told her he was buying a brewery, had a fleet of commercial vehicles and would give her an expensive car. The case continues.