A GREEDY couple's plot to forge a will and get their hands on a Bromley mathematician's fortune was foiled by an old friend of the dead man.

Nigel and Diana Compton, both 33, of Daneby Road, Catford, hatched a sophisticated plot to forge a will and get away with more than £300,000, Croydon Crown Court heard.

David Boulter, a retired schoolteacher and brilliant mathematician, of Valley Road, Bromley, died of natural causes in March 1999 at the age of 70.

John Blair-Gould, prosecuting, said a will was produced by the Comptons, who lived in the same block of flats.

Philip Webb, a life-long friend and a former fellow teacher at Pimlico School in Lupas Street, Pimlico, said he began enquiries when he learned of Mr Boulter's death.

After making several unsuccessful attempts to contact the Comptons, he got in touch with Orpington CID.

The will left £5,000 for the World Wildlife Association, an organisation which did not even exist, in a botched attempt to make it seem legitimate.

Philip Barnard, headmaster of Pimlico School, said Mr Boulter had never before shown any interest in animals.

Handwriting expert Dr Gerry Metcalfe told the court he believed the signature of David Boulter had been copied from an original.

The Comptons, together with accomplice Lawrence Carroll, 39, of Callender Road, Lewisham, were found guilty of conspiracy to steal.

A fourth defendant, John Wright, 56, of Bamford Road, Downham, was acquitted on the same charge.

Carroll, 39, a newspaper distributor, said Wright asked him to go to Boulter's flat to collect a table.

He claimed Boulter asked him to sign a document, which he did before taking it to Wright for his signature as well.

Carroll, who claimed the paper was folded and did not know what it contained, denied being part of a plan to steal Boulter's possessions or to commit forgery.

Wright, also in the distribution business, said he "was not aware" the document was a will.

The Comptons denied having anything to do with fraud and claimed the will was genuine.

Judge John Tanzer remanded Carroll and the Comptons on bail until January 25 for sentencing.