that the case was not about gold bars and that this was merely a cover story.
This morning, James Stunt arrives at Leeds Cloth Hall Court with his girlfriend, Helen Robinson.
The KC stated that although his company Stunt and Co continued to receive “little amounts of scrap” in 2015 and 2016, millions of pounds were paid in via the headquarters of his company.
Stunt stated that his office was merely a “cash collection agency.”
Mr. Clarke hypothesized that by this time, Fowler Oldfield was no longer receiving cash in exchange for gold bars, but rather was receiving cash and purchasing gold grain and bars from the Bank of Nova Scotia in order to create Stunt gold bars.
Yes, but I didn’t know it at the time, answered Stunt.
When asked if some of the cash was obtained through illegal means, Stunt replied, “I cannot conjecture.” I’m attempting to be a guy of integrity by telling you I don’t know.
Regarding his gold refining firm, he stated, “This was not a cover story.” My name was attached to a completely transparent and respectable gold bullion firm.
When asked about tens of thousands of pounds in cash being deposited into Fowler Oldfield’s accounts through his office, he responded, “NatWest didn’t question anything, so why would we think it suspicious?”
Today in court, Stunt portrayed his acquisition of the Duke of Cumberland title through the purchase of a small parcel of land as a “youthful dalliance.”
The court heard, however, that he purchased the title for £995 at age 27 and used it on his driver’s license and bank accounts.
The court heard this morning that Stunt’s millionaire lifestyle of gambling and lavish spending was in stark contrast to the income shown on his tax filings.
In 2013 to 2014, while living in “America’s largest property” and being married to Formula One heiress Petra Ecclestone, 33, the socialite had a “total legitimate income” of £11,403 and received a tax rebate of £206.
The jury heard that the 40-year-total old’s after-tax income in 2011, the year of his extravagant wedding, was £68,000. Stunt described himself as “tax-efficient.”
Stunt refuted the idea that he became increasingly “dependent” on the Ecclestone family and his father for financial support.
When questioned by Mr. Clarke, he responded, “They are equally dependent on me.”
The residence of Stunt and Petra Ecclestone, which was nicknamed “America’s largest mansion.”
The court heard that an analysis of Stunt and his ex-financial wife’s affairs found that they collectively spent £69 million during their seven-year marriage.
He also claimed to have the largest allocation of a number of great wines in the world.
When questioned as to whether Ms. Ecclestone contributed the majority of funds to their joint account, he responded, “On the surface, absolutely.”
Before his marriage, Stunt was granted free shares in the betting company Betfair, which he sold for a profit of between £10 million and £15 million, he told the court.
He stated that he received the shares for “bringing in high-rollers.”
Mr. Clarke told Stunt that he intended to answer the question, “Where is the money coming from?”
The attorney stated that this related to all £266 million of allegedly illicit cash that was allegedly “laundered.”
Stunt claimed at that time that he had never held a ‘nine-to-five job,’ but stated that he was ‘often surrounded by wealthy persons.
He told the jurors, “It’s not hard to put them together to make agreements and to be on the receiving end of a great deal of generosity.”
The court heard that he had a total income of £11,403 in 2013 and 2014. Stunt stated on this number, “On the surface, sure, but in fact, it’s not always the same.” In 2013 and 2014, when Stunt was married to Ms. Ecclestone (above), he had a “total lawful income” of £11,403 and even received a tax refund of £206.
Stunt claimed that his assets did not appear on tax forms and that he possessed the ‘largest allocation’ of specific premium wines in the world.
He stated, “Things might appear one way while they are actually another.”
Stunt told the jury that there is a significant distinction between tax avoidance, tax evasion, and tax efficiency in response to a question about his HMRC tax returns.
I believe that everyone should pay taxes, but as efficiently as possible.
Stunt informed the jury at one point during the trial that he was the’second-largest gambler in the world’ and that he had likely lost many millions of pounds.
Mr. Clarke questioned the socialite about his judgement that he was not a “smug or conceited man.”
He admitted that at the age of 17 or 18, he acquired the titles of Duke of Cumberland and Marquis of Cumbria by purchasing land.
Fowler Oldfield, a gold bullion dealer in Bradford, is alleged of being at the center of a huge money-laundering conspiracy involving Stunt, in which illegal funds were converted into gold.
He asserted that his gold bar manufacturing company, Stunt and Co., was real.
Heidi Buckler, 45, Greg Frankel, 44, Paul Miller, 45, Haroon Rashid, 51, Daniel Rawson, 45, Francesca Sota, 34, Stunt and Alexander Tulloch, 41, all deny money laundering. Stunt and Sota deny forgery as well.
The proceeding continues.
Stunt (seen today with Ms. Robinson) stated that he was offered free shares in the betting company Betfair and made between £10 million and £15 million by selling his investment.