Tycoon was 'behind killing' court hears

Published on Thursday 24 November 2005 01:29

PROPERTY tycoon Nicholas van Hoogstraten was behind the "assassination" of one of his business rivals, a court heard yesterday.

The ruthless businessman sent two henchmen to "exterminate the opposition", said Andrew Mitchell, QC, for the family of the murder victim, Mohammed Raja.

The evidence pointed conclusively to Mr van Hoogstraten's hand being on the tiller which steered events towards the shooting and stabbing of Mr Raja at his home in Sutton, south London, by Robert Knapp and David Croke on 2 July 1999, the court heard.

Mr Justice Lightman is being asked to rule on a preliminary issue - whether Mr van Hoogstraten was directly involved in Mr Raja's death, despite having been acquitted of manslaughter, in civil proceedings being brought against him by the dead man's family. Mr van Hoogstraten was not present at yesterday's start of a five-day hearing at the High Court in London.

Mr Raja, 62, was in the process of suing Mr van Hoogstraten over a business deal at the time of his death. His family, claiming at least 5 million, have taken over conduct of the case. Knapp and Croke are serving life for murder.

In a statement prepared for his defence, Mr van Hoogstraten insisted that, although he had known Knapp for 35 years, he had never employed him in any capacity.

Mr Mitchell said the evidence would show Knapp was the tycoon's minder and enforcer.

The hearing continues.