ALEXANDER ROTHSCHILD CONMAN FROM CIRENCESTER JAILED FOR FRAUD AND RAPE IN BRISTOL

In a case that has shocked the local community of Cirencester and the wider Bristol area, Alexander Rothschild, a 49-year-old man from Cirencester, has been sentenced to a total of 18 years in prison following a series of serious criminal convictions. The court found Rothschild guilty of multiple charges, including seven counts of obtaining money through deception from a woman named Christine Handy, as well as a separate conviction for the rape of a teenage girl.

The proceedings took place at Bristol Crown Court, where Rothschild was handed a three-year sentence for the fraud charges and a more severe 15-year term for the unrelated sexual assault. The court's judgment was delivered after a jury found him guilty of the seven counts of deception, although three additional counts of obtaining property by deception did not reach a verdict and will remain on file.

Rothschild’s criminal activities spanned over several years, during which he falsely claimed to be the illegitimate son of the renowned financier Edmund De Rothschild. His elaborate ruse was part of a broader scheme to manipulate and deceive others for financial gain. The court heard that Rothschild, who was unemployed at the time, had falsely presented himself as an Oxford-educated international financier, a claim that was entirely fabricated.

One of his most disturbing crimes involved the sexual abuse of a teenage girl, whom he systematically oppressed from the ages of 13 to 17. During this period, Rothschild not only subjected her to emotional and physical abuse but also impregnated her on one occasion. The judge described his treatment of her as utterly oppressive, stating that her formative years, which should have been filled with happiness, were marred by his actions. The judge emphasized the profound impact of Rothschild’s abuse, noting that she was made miserable and despoiled during her most vulnerable years.

In addition to the abuse of the teenage girl, Rothschild targeted an emotionally vulnerable woman, from whom he extracted approximately £300,000 through lies disguised as respectability and education. He used this money to indulge in a lavish lifestyle, fueling his desire for a jet-set existence. The court described his lies as “preposterous,” highlighting the extent of his deception.

The conviction for deception was complemented by the earlier findings in May, when Rothschild was found guilty of four counts of rape and three counts of sexual assault. The jury’s decision was based on evidence that Rothschild had approached Christine Handy in June 2003 at a coffee shop in Cheltenham. He claimed to have been observing her for some time and offered her financial advice related to her divorce. Over time, he convinced her to lend him hundreds of thousands of pounds, which he failed to repay.

Throughout the trial, Rothschild maintained a facade of respectability, but the court was told that his true intentions were far from innocent. His actions have left a lasting scar on his victims, and his lengthy prison sentence reflects the severity of his crimes. Rothschild’s case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by individuals who manipulate trust and exploit vulnerability for personal gain.