Millionaire property developer Scot Young has been jailed for six months for failing to provide financial details in a bitter divorce dispute.
The 51 year old tycoon has been involved in a long-running courtroom clash with his estranged wife Michelle, 48, since they separated in 2006.
Sitting at the High Court, Mr Justice Moor ruled that Young was in “flagrant” contempt of court and described his reasons for not obeying the court orders as “absurd” and “next to useless”.
Mr Young insisted, however, that he had done “everything in his power” to obey the orders. He claims that he is bankrupt and cannot pay the £27,500 a month in maintenance ordered by a judge in 2009.
Mrs Young, by contrast, believes he has hidden substantial financial assets.
This is a ‘get tough’ ruling which will be welcomed by divorce lawyers and alienated spouses alike. Over the past two years, there has been a concerted move among judges to ensure that family law is in line with civil law. Today’s decision to jail Scot Young is more than this: the courts are signalling that if you defy their decisions, you risk going to prison – even in a divorce case.
A further hearing has been scheduled for later this year.
