Villa star Carew fleeced in car scam by "gifted talker"

Footballer John Carew told a court how a car dealer accused of fleecing him in a £250,000 scam was a "gifted talker".

Giving evidence to Birmingham Crown Court, the Aston Villa star said he paid Richard Esprit more than £100,000 to secure him a “good deal” on a white Porsche Cayenne Gemballa - complete with bespoke TV screens in the seats - but the car never arrived.

It has been alleged that in total Carew paid Esprit more than £250,000 in a series of car-related deals – but in the end had nothing to show for it.

Mr Carew, 31, told the jury: “He said he would get me a good price and said it was a very special vehicle.
“He said it had a super kit, very difficult to get hold of and would be very exclusive. It sounded a good deal.

“He was a gifted talker and seemed like a nice person. I didn’t have any suspicions. I never got that car.”
Esprit, aged 43, of Staines, Middlesex, has pleaded not guilty to three charges of fraud and two of theft of 147,500.
The trial continues.