Farmer jailed to fund divorce

Scholl was sentenced at Exeter County Court

A Devon farmer has been jailed for 28 days so his £430,000 property can be sold to fund a divorce settlement.

Peter Scholl, from Scotland Farm, near Holsworthy, was told by Judge John Neligan at Exeter County Court it was the only way he could be moved out of the property.

Scholl admitted he was in contempt of a previous court order to leave.

The judge said that Scholl, divorced from his wife Martine in 2000, believed the marriage vow was "until death us do part", and refused to leave the farm.

I take this course with great reluctance, but I pass the 28-day term in the knowledge that you will serve half that

Judge John Neligan

Judge Neligan jailed Scholl, saying it was the only way to get him out of the farmhouse so that it could be sold to someone who was prepared to complete the purchase by 23 February.

He said: "It is quite clear that you have no intention of leaving the farm, so I have no alternative but to pass a prison sentence.

"I have tried everything to avoid that, but you have refused to vacate the property.

"If I do not send you to prison, the sale will be lost and your former wife is entitled to her money.

"I take this course with great reluctance, but I pass the 28-day term in the knowledge that you will serve half that, by which time the sale of the property will be complete."

Scholl said: "I am ready to go - I have spent three months in an empty house on an empty farm doing much soul-searching.

"During my life I have acted in accordance with my duty and religious beliefs."

He added: "I respect the court's ruling."