Australia Australia - Marion Barter - Missing After Trip to UK - June 1997 #19

[KathPlumber]

Seems buying a school is a thing in the UK ... so he may have even got her as far as having in person discussions with one that would have made the con even more convincing.

Schools for Sale in the UK | Buy a School

Explore UK schools for sale. Find independent and specialist education opportunities with expert support from Christie & Co.

www.christie.com

Yep was just going to say this. I’m not sure exactly when it became as easy as it is now, but with the introduction of the “academy” system in the UK it became very easy to take Over existing [underperforming] schools in the UK, and run them as small private academies with a board of governors, as well as start up your own, almost anyone can do it. Oftentimes the schools start pretty small too. It is almost unfathomable to Australians.

 

[KathPlumber]

I was just reading about the Privitisation of Schools in the UK in mid 90's and found that Councils were inviting Tenders for Contracts to run schools in the UK. Would this have been how Marion intended to "buy" a school? It would be interesting if this could be looked at as perpaps the records may still be available.

LINK to what I was reading below... page 77 onwards.

https://journals.lwbooks.co.uk/forum/vol-54-issue-1/article-4951/

Ah yes sorry… I missed your comment but just made a similar remark. I didn’t realise it started this early.

 

[KathPlumber]

Agreed - MASSIVE news. Explains why Marion (under name Florabella) may have been persuaded to travel back to Australia, to withdraw the money. Then met a bad end… whether it was actually her who withdrew the money or not (I personally think not; why go to Bali when you’re going back to the UK to purchase a school?)

Is anyone able to summarise the postcards? I’m not a TLV listener tho always love to hear Sally’s frankly spoken contributions. (Sally would have made a great cop hey!)

 

[CuriousKat99]

View attachment 428893

Ilona and RB. Creepy as. Gives me the same sick feeling as looking at old photos of my divorced parents…

He looks like a vampire in this photo. Maybe it’s because of the side profile view. Same with the shot they got if him entering the courthouse recently via the side door. Side profile again. He just looked like an evil gnome.

 

[MrsWattle]

I just had a quick squizz at RSVP on the Wayback machine. Yes you need to be a member. The lady mentioned she met Bernard DuPont through a fake french young man profile. I seriously hope it's investigated with experts. A possible Treasure trove of information on Dracula!

 

[Lord Peter Flimsy]

The postcard talks about “pass one of the many private schools!” before she then mentions the cost which appears to be a undervaluation in 1997.

To me this sounds like she didn’t actually go to look at any but a certain person in her ear who was driving came up with these rather convenient numbers as surprise surprise they almost tally with Marion’s wealth at that time.

I’m struggling to imagine this ‘strange’ foreign couple randomly turning up in a hire car to purchase a school.

I do believe she contacted a non private village school (probably close to one of the various B&Bs she stayed at) where they did say they were looking for a relief teacher.

JMO and all that

 

[KiwiNZ]

Is anyone able to summarise the postcards? I’m not a TLV listener tho always love to hear Sally’s frankly spoken contributions. (Sally would have made a great cop hey!)

• Dearest T,
  Hi and greetings from beautiful England. Loving every minute and having the best time in my life. Have seen and explored so many interesting places and keep finding more I want to see. Roman history is particularly fascinating. Don’t think about school as often anymore just reminded of it when I passed one of the many quaint schools! Here you can buy your own school if you have $$65,000–$150,000!!!
  Beautiful horse country - you’d love it all. Weather improving. Have hired a small car and love staying in B&Bs. People are so helpful and friendly.
  Love to ? + Collin + yourself don’t work too hard sending you ? Vibes.
  love always
  Marion xxxxx
  ? = not sure of this word
  38
  
  
  • 
    

 

[caitlincurious]

• Dearest T,
  Hi and greetings from beautiful England. Loving every minute and having the best time in my life. Have seen and explored so many interesting places and keep finding more I want to see. Roman history is particularly fascinating. Don’t think about school as often anymore just reminded of it when I passed one of the many quaint schools! Here you can buy your own school if you have $$65,000–$150,000!!!
  Beautiful horse country - you’d love it all. Weather improving. Have hired a small car and love staying in B&Bs. People are so helpful and friendly.
  Love to ? + Collin + yourself don’t work too hard sending you ? Vibes.
  love always
  Marion xxxxx
  ? = not sure of this word
  38
  

Thanks Kiwi. Small observation: RB is very interested in Roman history due to his interest in numismatics. He could have kept her informed on their journey. It’s so sad to see how happy Marion was, not knowing what would soon happen. I feel 99% sure the ‘buying a school’ was part of RB’s con.

 

[Martinie]

Just reading the swim meet post on MB FB page again in regard to him missing the GRAFTON pool on Sunday 21st September, 1997 - cant imagine him missing a swim meet that he was Starter and / or Judge of, UNLESS of course Grafton posed a risk for him IF he had been seen with Marion back in August when she was withdrawing her funds - for those that believe she did come back.

They then have " next event on the calendar was at the Alstonville Pool competing against the Sunshine Coast swimming association on 18th & 19 October 1997 where Mr. Blum was listed as a “Starter”.

But there was another event that the daughter competed in after the Grafton Swim meet and that was at the Aust Swimming Championships Sydney International Aquatic Centre

September 24 and 25, 1997

Did she go with her team and the parents stayed behind? OR only one parent went with her??

The Sydney Morning Herald​

31 May 1997, Sat · Page 49


ALSO - DID DIANE GO TO THE GRAFTON pool 21st September, 1997 MEET ?
After all she was the Secretary = Are these jobs volunteer?? = Surely they wouldnt be ripping off the system I think there was some reference to him being a Treasurer at some point.

Am I recalling correctly that he did actually travel down to Grafton for the swimming thing, but didn't actually go? That's a bit odd...

 

[mishy66]

The postcard talks about “pass one of the many private schools!” before she then mentions the cost which appears to be a undervaluation in 1997.

To me this sounds like she didn’t actually go to look at any but a certain person in her ear who was driving came up with these rather convenient numbers as surprise surprise they almost tally with Marion’s wealth at that time.

I’m struggling to imagine this ‘strange’ foreign couple randomly turning up in a hire car to purchase a school.

I do believe she contacted a non private village school (probably close to one of the various B&Bs she stayed at) where they did say they were looking for a relief teacher.

JMO and all that

Good pick up - it definitely says PRIVATE schools, not quaint.

Given Marion even states the cost of such schools - the same cost AH puts forward yes ? - this is another fail on his part - there was no mention of Marion ever saying she was buying a school in the UK to her friends or family ( she was on the trip of her life, about to be the "wife of a wealthy Luxembourger who no doubt owned half of Europe " - what good would a UK school be to her???)

- aside from AH bringing this up - and that places him fair and square in the UK with Marion.

"Don’t think about school as often anymore just reminded of it when I passed one of the many PRIVATE schools"
"Here you can buy your own school if you have $65,000–$150,000 "

She was never buying a school in the UK

Money for school buying = AH pocket

 

[CuriousKat99]

The postcard talks about “pass one of the many private schools!” before she then mentions the cost which appears to be a undervaluation in 1997.

To me this sounds like she didn’t actually go to look at any but a certain person in her ear who was driving came up with these rather convenient numbers as surprise surprise they almost tally with Marion’s wealth at that time.

I’m struggling to imagine this ‘strange’ foreign couple randomly turning up in a hire car to purchase a school.

I do believe she contacted a non private village school (probably close to one of the various B&Bs she stayed at) where they did say they were looking for a relief teacher.

JMO and all that

I tend to agree. AKA likely knew very little about purchasing and running schools in the UK. If they had made enquiries in person, his lack of knowledge would have been exposed. Also there would be the danger of sightings of him and Marion together, something he took a lot of trouble to avoid with all of his victims (separate fights etc). So much simpler and faster to spin the tale to her himself with nobody else present. Marion wouldn’t have known much about schools in the UK so he could make up whatever he liked and she would have believed him, such as the cost of purchase. A very efficient way for him to get his hands on the proceeds of the sale of her house.

 

[Observe_dont_Absorb]

I have a suspicion that he might have changed his appearance while with Marion.
Dyed dark hair, and spray/ rub on tan and lipstick or lip dye. Is that possible plausible? if he couldn't attend regular events because he was disguised for that time. Ask his kids and wife about that!

I agree, taking on a mask of a false persona and set of affectations would / could be a part of the smoke and mirrors con technique.

One thing consistent, it would appear to be the case that every woman he was involved with knew of his coin collecting / trading interests though.

I wonder if the women found it endearing - this slightly odd and eccentric man who must be somewhat romantically, sexually, and emotionally incompetent with his passion for history, coins, literature, languages, the arts, travel?

I can imagine it's the sort of persona where a woman would feel very safe and want to take him under their wing, imagining that he's a hapless innocent in this world, hence has never married and had children but is also an intellectual and is a bit rubbish at intimacy. I can see how that would work. I can see how that would build fake trust and explain lack of other 'normal' stuff.

 

[TootsieFootsie]

I can imagine it's the sort of persona where a woman would feel very safe and want to take him under their wing, imagining that he's a hapless innocent in this world, hence has never married and had children but is also an intellectual and is a bit rubbish at intimacy. I can see how that would work. I can see how that would build fake trust and explain lack of other 'normal' stuff.

And mostly likely thinking that they were the woman he'd waited for all his life.

And that in time a sexual relationship would happen because he'd never found the right woman before.

 

[Observe_dont_Absorb]

Remember that photo where he looks trans/feminine? I’m sure you’ve discussed this- but could it have been HIM that flew back as Floribella? He may have used Physical disguises back then?

Personally I don't think he would want to bring too high of a level of attention or scrutiny to himself but if desperate, he could have just fronted it out as being trans and off to Bali to find himself and start a new life...

Was there time between him flying back to Australia for him to fly immediately back out again to Amsterdam on yet another different passport then return as Florabella?

I do sense that although he probably has a network of trusted underworld pals, bringing another living being into his scams (aside from wife or possibly even MC, JMO) would be far too a risky proposition for him, I sense he's a bit more lone wolf and control freak than that.

 

[KinseyFan]

I mean no disrespect to Marion or Sally, but this is just getting whackier and whackier. What a snake.

 

[KinseyFan]

Spare a thought for all the extremely vulnerable people sharing the residential respite accomodation with him. Sure hope the staff have listened to the podcast.

 

[Observe_dont_Absorb]

Spare a thought for all the extremely vulnerable people sharing the residential respite accomodation with him. Sure hope the staff have listened to the podcast.

Many people are raising this issue here on thread and one can only trust that the authorities are clued up enough to have made the correct alerts.

Having said that, how is AH passing his days alone in a respite home I wonder? Chatting his usual BS to anyone who will listen and figuring out how to de-fund them and get them to hand over their jewellery and coin collections would be his default surely?

 

[KinseyFan]

He could obviously still con a vulnerable person with dementia. Not everyone in Respite or Aged Care has a financial power of attorney (eg my Dad) so can sign anything still. And not everyone in respite/aged care with neuro issues/early onset dementia has been diagnosed as such yet. Eg my Dad.
He needs to be kept away from society. Asap. I guess the delay is lack of evidence? Otherwise, why hasn’t he been arrested? Why put people at risk? I’m obvs not a lawyer and on a complete rant. My uneducated opinion only, of course

 

[Mrs_Vee]

Remember that photo where he looks trans/feminine? I’m sure you’ve discussed this- but could it have been HIM that flew back as Floribella? He may have used Physical disguises back then?

Good point but wouldn’t he have been too tall? I think height is noted in passport? Also eyes… not sure what colour they both had?

 

[Observe_dont_Absorb]

He could obviously still con a vulnerable person with dementia. Not everyone in Respite or Aged Care has a financial power of attorney (eg my Dad) so can sign anything still. And not everyone in respite/aged care with neuro issues/early onset dementia has been diagnosed as such yet. Eg my Dad.
He needs to be kept away from society. Asap. I guess the delay is lack of evidence? Otherwise, why hasn’t he been arrested? Why put people at risk? I’m obvs not a lawyer and on a complete rant. My uneducated opinion only, of course

I've said this a few times before but the legal process cogs grind very slowly.

In law, depriving someone of their freedoms and liberty, restricting their agency or movement, is the most serious thing that can happen to any human being. Getting it wrong, or applying it without the correct lawful due process becomes framed as human rights violations and injustices.