Conman who stole thousands from his victims is jailed

A con artist claiming to be an international showjumper and successful businessman cheated horse enthusiasts out of hundreds of thousands of pounds, a court heard.

James Condliffe boasted that he owned a grade II country estate in Ashford with seven acres of land, stables and a swimming pool.

One of his victims was elderly Ashford farmer Warren Alcock who lost £100,000 and was left in debt.

Condliffe was jailed for four years and three months after admitting 21 offences of fraud by false representation and one of using a false instrument between July 2012 and July 2014.

A judge said the offences showed a “predatory and remarkably cruel character”.

Maidstone Crown Court heard the 34-year-old, of Cross Green Farm, Upper Berwick, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, spun a web of lies to defraud investors out of £280,000.

Prosecutor Ed Connell said Condliffe, who had a stable yard in Wye, claimed a horse called Gotti was worth £100,000 when he had paid £12,000.

He went to 85-year-old Mr Alcock’s farm in September 2012 and showed interest in renting his stables and said he had grand plans for expansion.

He persuaded Mr Alcock to invest £50,000 in Gotti and “bargain basement” bankrupt horse stock that was never bought, and to take out a £25,000 loan on his behalf.

Mr Alcock also allowed Condliffe to write out blank cheques, one of which for £51,000 was used to pay off another victim.

Condliffe even tried to later “steal” Gotti back by forging a letter to the British Showjumping Association requesting change of ownership.

Mr Alcock, who told of “feeling like a fool” in a victim impact statement, was still in debt to his bank.

Condliffe posed as a buyer of Thimble Hall in Charing which James Condliffe claimed he was an international showjumper; above right, Judge Charles Macdonald was put on the market for £650,000 in 2014.

He claimed to be awaiting probate after his father’s death but wanted to move in to impress clients.

The owner agreed but no rent was paid. Condliffe posed as the true owner when he invited prospective clients there.

One was 65-year-old Christopher Ingram, from Southborough, who he tricked into investing £20,000 in a non-existent horse.

“The defendant claimed Stan was worth £96,000, for which Mr Ingram would get a £3 million return,” said Mr Connell.

“Condliffe took him to Thimble Hall and Mr Ingram was impressed by the property, as he said he wanted clients to be.

“He claimed to own the prop- erty and said it was worth £1.5 million, all lies designed to trick Mr Ingram into believing he was a successful businessman.”

“Much of the deception was perpetrated on victims who were vulnerable for one reason or another.

“He took advantage for his own gain and successfully convinced investors he was a successful horse rider and businessman.

“When the people he defrauded tried to chase him to get their money back, he would say anything to get himself out of trouble, including stories about his parents being seriously ill or dead when they were both alive.

“In reality, rather than being a successful businessman, he was a man in serious financial difficulties who repeatedly preyed on others to fund his lifestyle.”

Passing sentence, Judge Charles Macdonald QC said: “This is an appalling narrative of diverse and persistent frauds committed over two years against all manner of victims - the very elderly, intimate partners, virtual strangers, chance acquaintances and businesses.”

Condliffe even swindled his girlfriend, Sarah Barker, after meeting her at a British Derby meeting at the all-England jumping course Hickstead in 2012.

She parted with £35,000 for a horse called Fan, which he had bought for just £16,000.

The judge imposed a serious crime prevention order for five years, which bans Condliffe from engaging in any business related to the horse industry, financial advice and investment opportunities.