Timeshare fraud victims in damages fight

John Palmer was jailed for eight years for fraud

Two men from Sheffield who claim they have been cheated out of thousands of pounds in a timeshare scam are taking their case to the High Court.

Graham Beever and John Laude are among hundreds who say they were conned by multi-millionaire John "Goldfinger" Palmer.

Palmer, of Bath in Somerset, was jailed for eight years in 2001 for his part in a timeshare fraud.

His victims say they were deceived over the value of timeshares, how quickly a sale could be expected and about rental incomes.

Palmer regularly appears in lists of the UK's richest people, but his assets of £47m were frozen after his trial.

Mr Beever and Mr Laude are seeking damages for fraudulent and other misrepresentation, deceit and conspiracy.

Palmer defended himself in his seven-month long trial.

He had previously been acquitted of handling gold bullion from the 1983 Brink's Mat robbery.