Singer and former X Factor contestant Nathan Fagan-Gayle has been jailed for 20 months for his part in a scam which involved stealing close to £1 million from vulnerable pensioners.

Via The Daily Mirror

The 29-year-old was part of an eight-strong gang that raked in more than £900,000 in ill gotten gains, some of which was put into a bank account in Syria.

He has been jailed for laundering £20,000 from Elizabeth Curtis, 73, who had a total of £130,000 stolen from her.

Ms Curtis, who was at the Old Bailey to hear the sentences passed, said she has been left “traumatised” by the con. Continue Reading…

As he was sentenced, Fagan-Gayle shouted from the dock:

“I just want to take this opportunity to apologise to Elizabeth Curtis.

“If I had known what was really going on here, I would have turned and run 100 miles in the other direction.

“I know this has torn your life apart, and I don’t want you to think this is just some flash in the pan for me – this is the single biggest defining moment of my life.

“It hasn’t just torn your world apart, it’s torn mine apart too.

“I’m sorry from the bottom of my heart. I’m not asking for your forgiveness, I just want you to know where my heart is, man to woman.”

All I can do is shake my head. Look where greed and the desperate need to ‘keep up with the Joneses’ lands you.

Nathan could have navigated his way in to a career in radio, song writing or applied for a 9-5 job to supplement his income while still pursuing a music career. But I guess assisting scum bag scammers who have ties in Syria seemed more appealing and guaranteed a quick pay-day.

There is no real way of coming back from this. Nathan is done! Any plans to revive his music career (again) upon release from prison should be aborted.