Man held over 'banker's son con'

A man who allegedly claimed to be the son of banker Edmund de Rothschild has been arrested and accused of conning a woman out of £600,000.

Mark Hatton is said to have fathered a child with Christine Handy, 43, after claiming to be Alex de Rothschild, part of the famous financial family.

Mr Hatton was arrested by police in Gloucestershire after being deported from the US for outstaying his visa.

Ms Handy, from Cheltenham, claims she gave Mr Hatton £600,000.

Private detective

Detectives confirmed they are to question Mr Hatton in connection with offences of obtaining property by deception.

Insp Les Pritchard said: "Police have arrested Mark Hatton, aka Alexander de Rothschild, following his deportation from the USA for overstaying his visa."

Ms Handy set up a website to locate Mr Hatton after the end of their relationship.

A private detective confirmed he was living in New York after users of a website set up by Ms Handy revealed his location.

Ms Handy claims she was led to believe the £600,000 would be invested by Mr Hatton.