Tycoon's £5m assets still frozen

Mr van Hoogstraten hopes to appeal against the judge's decision

Property baron Nicholas van Hoogstraten has failed in a challenge to a court order freezing £5m of his assets.

He had told the High Court he could not afford to defend a case brought by the family of Mohammed Raja, whose killing he has been held responsible for.

But a judge said Mr van Hoogstraten, 60, from East Sussex, had deliberately organised his assets so he could claim he was unable to afford court costs.

The tycoon is contesting a ruling that he was involved in Mr Raja's death.

He was cleared in the criminal courts of the killing, but Mr Justice Lightman found in December 2005 that he had recruited two "highly dangerous thugs" to murder Mr Raja to stop a lawsuit being brought against him over a business deal.

Mr van Hoogstraten, from Uckfield, will apply for permission later this week to appeal against the judge's decision.

'Ruthless and violent'

He told the High Court on Monday that the £5m freezing order was preventing him from instructing lawyers to act in his defence.

But the multi-millionaire stated in a TV interview he was worth more than £100m, including overseas holdings which made him the richest man in Zimbabwe.

Mr van Hoogstraten was not willing to disclose details of how he had disposed of his wealth, according to Mr Justice Lightman.

The judge said he believed the businessman still had control over substantial funds because of his "overweening self-confidence" and "attachment to money".

Mr Justice Lightman described the property baron as a "ruthless as well as violent man" who used tactics and devices to place his wealth beyond the reach of creditors.

Cost orders of £535,000 against Mr van Hoogstraten remain unpaid in the civil proceedings brought by Mr Raja's family and estate.