Businessman used war hero ID for 27 years

An American businessman in London who stole the identify of a Vietnam war hero for 27 years has been spared jail.

The 71-year-old had taken the name of Lieutenant Michael Rogers Callaway, a holder of the Silver Star for bravery who was killed in action in 1968. He was caught after applying to the US embassy to renew a passport last month.

At Southwark crown court, he admitted ID theft but refused to give his real name. The man who was working as a financier in London said he changed his identity in 1984 because criminals had threatened his family, adding: "The people pursuing me are powerful."

Judge John Price gave him a six-month sentence
suspended for 15 months, saying: "As far as I know, you are a thoroughly decent man who got into trouble." The man was remanded in custody to face deportation to the US.