In 1993 Sarah Smith was a happy and successful
student. At her local pub, she met barman Robert
Freegard. Peace was shattered when an IRA bomb went off
close to her college and in the aftermath of this
terrorist attack Freegard revealed his 'true' identity
to Sarah and two of her friends - he was an MI5 spy
investigating IRA cells in the area. Because of the time
they had spent together and their knowledge of his true
identity, Sarah, John and Maria were in mortal danger.
Freegard convinced the students that they needed to go
into hiding or risk being killed. Thus began a
spine-chilling story. For Sarah became a fugitive on the
run - living in slums, in cars, sleeping rough in parks,
half starved - for ten years. During this time she lived
under multiple pseudonyms and worked menial jobs.
Freegard became the only person she trusted; he became
her lifeline, her saviour and her keeper. So when, ten
years later, police arrived at the house Sarah was
cleaning, she could not believe what they were telling
her: Freegard was not an MI5 agent, he was a conman and
she was one of many victims. He had brainwashed her by
using such sophisticated techniques that psychologists
are still baffled.He had stolen ten precious years and
over 300,000 pounds from Sarah, and in the process
ruined her life; from others he had conned even more
money. This is Sarah's roller-coaster true story. It is
a powerful memoir and a profile of a modern-day criminal
genius and master manipulator. |
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