Murder charge tycoon 'had court battle with victim'
Property magnate Nicholas van Hoogstraten was involved in a court battle over dealings with the retired businessman he is alleged to have had murdered by two hitmen, a court was told today.
Robert Knapp (aged 55) of Convent Street, Abbeyfeale, Co Limerick and David Croke (aged 59) of Boney Road, East Moulsecoomb, Brighton - the men the prosecution says actually carried out the killing - both also deny murder.
Van Hoogstraten was embroiled in an escalating court battle with 62-year-old Mohammed Sabir Raja over business debts before he decided to have the contract killing carried out, a jury at the Old Bailey was told.
Mr Raja was stabbed and then shot by two men at his home in Sutton, Surrey, on July 2, 1999.
Van Hoogstraten, 57, of Framfield, Uckfield, Sussex, denies murdering Mr Raja.
He further denies conspiring with Croke, Knapp and others to murder Mr Raja between January 1 and July 3, 1999.
David Waters QC, prosecuting, told the jury: ‘‘The background arose out of business dealings between the two men.
‘‘They were both involved in property. Van Hoogstraten was very much more successful than Raja, but their paths crossed in the late 1980s.’’
Van Hoogstraten lent Raja money to purchase properties, Mr Waters said, adding: ‘‘The details of the deeds were kept by van Hoogstraten until such time as Raja repaid monies owed.
‘‘In 1993, there was a dispute as to how much money Raja owed.’’
Mr Raja first asked to see the accounts, but by 1994 had brought proceedings against van Hoogstraten, alleging breach of contract and breach of trust.
Mr Raja also asked the court to make certain declarations in relation to certain properties, Mr Waters said.
He went on: ‘‘But between 1998 and 1999, the stakes were raised, first by Mr Raja.
‘‘He applied to the court to amend the claim to include a more serious allegation, that van Hoogstraten had been guilty of fraud.’’
