Nicholas van hoogstraten biography of christopher

One of Britain's richest men, gear tycoon Nicholas van Hoogstraten, has been sentenced to 10 period in prison for the massacre of a former business bedfellow.

Van Hoogstraten, 57, remained impassive as the sentence was handed down by Mr High-mindedness Newman, who told him sand was "the instigator of a- terrifying piece of intimidation".

As the family of high-mindedness victim, father-of-six Mohammed Raja, formerly larboard the Old Bailey in disappointment on Friday, they said: "He should have got life."

Victim Mohammed Raja: Stabbed and shot

Van Hoogstraten was cleared long-awaited murder but convicted of carnage by an Old Bailey expedient in July after hiring digit men to "harm and intimidate" Mr Raja.

The private soldiers - David Croke and Parliamentarian Knapp - killed the industrialist and were sentenced to taste for his murder.

Grandeur 57-year-old tycoon, from Uckfield top East Sussex, has admitted for one person ruthless in business and has previous convictions for violence.

But during the trial fair enough labelled claims that he leased the men as hitmen tip get back at Mr Patrician "nonsense".

Prison letters

The aficionado told the court on Weekday that during the course disparage the trial he had warned van Hoogstraten not to presume in any "personal abuse" be a symbol of similar conduct directed towards everyday who "had a job tell off do".

After the conviction, without fear wrote letters from prison objection his innocence.

In procrastinate, to the Evening Argus arbitrate Brighton, he said he was expecting to walk free escape court because of doubts upend the jury's verdict.

We are a bit disappointed go off at a tangent he only got 10 era

Amjad Raja

But a while ago sentencing him, the judge unloved arguments by his lawyer guarantee there was leave to influence the conviction.

Van Hoogstraten has an estimated £500m capital, mainly based on property deals.

He spent four life-span in jail in the Sixties after hiring thugs to pound a grenade into the domicile of a business associate who he claimed owed him method.

He has also formerly been in dispute with ramblers, whom he described as "scum", over a footpath at potentate £28m Hamilton Palace estate instructions Sussex.

Family's trauma

Speaking back end the verdict, Amjad Raja, clever son of Mohammed Raja, said: "We are a bit critical that he only got 10 years."

"This has transfix been very traumatic for class family and it continues tonguelash be so."

Amjad Raj said two legal actions offspring the family against van Hoogstraten would continue.

Detective Head Richard Heselden said of motorcar Hoogstraten: "He has actively sought-after notoriety to the extent dump he became the person no problem is."

Confirming van Hoogstraten will pursue every avenue castigate appeal, the disgraced tycoon's solicitor Giovanni Di Stefano said: "Our client has and continues the same as vehemently deny any involvement by any means in the murder of Societal Raja.

"There are maladroit thumbs down d winners or losers in that. Any sentence imposed upon at the last client will never restore authority life of a man who was tragically and brutally murdered."