Mark Acklom jailed for 5 years and 8 months

On 7 August 2019 Mark Acklom was sentenced to 5 years’ 8 months imprisonment at Bristol Crown Court. Mr Acklom was convicted of defrauding Carolyn Wood by dishonestly claiming he was a Swiss banker, who worked for MI6 and promising he was legally able to marry Ms Woods. Mr Acklom induced Ms Woods into giving him £762,000 to renovate a property that he owned and was developing. Mr Acklom originally faced 20 charges, but his barrister asked for him to be re-arraigned after a jury had been sworn in for his trial. The Prosecutor said his guilty pleas to five counts of fraud were acceptable to the Crown.

A proceeds of crime hearing will take place at a later date.

You can read more of our coverage of this case here.