A former NASA scientist who retrained as an investment adviser before blowing his clients' cash on luxury holidays has been ordered to pay back more than £650,000 to his victims.
John Burford, 86, generated in excess of £1million from more than 100 punters over three years in a bogus investment scheme he called 'Tramline Trader'.
Burford, of Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, was jailed for two years at Southwark Crown Court in September 2025 after admitting one count of fraud by false representation and three counts of unauthorised trading.
The ex-physicist, who has served his sentence, was back in the same court again today for a Proceeds of Crime hearing, where he appeared wearing a dark waistcoat and purple shirt.
Prosecutor Fiona Jackson said the total benefit figure sought by the Crown is £1,250,946.22 but accepted he has realisable assets worth £655,951.40 available.
