Country manor fraudster 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 he owned a Grade II-listed country estate in Ashford with stables and a swimming pool.

One of his victims, elderly Ashford farmer Warren Alcock, 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 2012 and 2014.

Maidstone Crown Court heard the 34-year-old, of Shrewsbury, 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 paid off another victim.

Condliffe even tried to later “steal” Gotti back by forging a letter to the British Showjump- ing 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 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.