Women 'left in debt by bigamist'

Roderick Sangster, 58, denies bigamy and fraud

A 58-year-old former church minister who allegedly entered into a bigamous marriage looked for financially secure, vulnerable women, a court has heard.

Roderick Sangster is alleged to have married Janet Pollard in 2004 while still married to a woman called Jill Sangster, Warwick Crown Court was told.

It heard Ms Pollard, whom he lived with in Leamington Spa, and Mrs Sangster were left owing thousands of pounds.

The man, whose last known address was in Chester, denies bigamy and fraud.

Debt trail

The jury was told Mrs Sangster was forced to declare herself bankrupt after discovering Mr Sangster had run up a debt of £30,000, while Ms Pollard was left with a bill for £55,000.

He is also accused of forging Ms Pollard's signature to obtain a £10,000 loan from Northern Rock.

Prosecutor David Jones said: "He looked for vulnerable ladies with some degree of financial stability."

When the money ran out, he would move on, Mr Jones added.

Wedding photos

The alleged debt trail led to the two women meeting face to face last year, the court heard in Mr Sangster's absence, on Wednesday.

Mrs Sangster, from Perth, Scotland, said Ms Pollard had initiated a meeting with her over the matter of the debts she said Mr Sangster had left her with.

"She said she was married to a Rod Sangster and was it the same one?

"I got out the wedding photos and showed her and she confirmed it was him," Mrs Sangster told the jury.

Internet dating

Mr Sangster, whose last known address was the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Trinity Street, Chester, married Mrs Sangster in Florida on August 6 1996, after legally divorcing his first wife of 25 years, with whom he had four children.

He left Mrs Sangster in 2002 and began divorce proceedings but then had a "change of heart", the jury was told.

In 2003, he wrote a letter to Mrs Sangster telling her she would not get a divorce, the court heard.

Mr Sangster then found employment at a hotel in Evesham, Worcestershire, and started internet dating where he met Ms Pollard, who was recovering from cancer.

He moved in with her in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, after telling her he had divorced his wife, Mr Jones said.

Mr Sangster has pleaded not guilty to one count of bigamy and another of obtaining money transfer by deception.

The trial continues.

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Roderick Sangster was absent from court