Overview
- Bristol Crown Court imposed a Confiscation and Compensation Order for £125,000 payable within three months, with a two-year default sentence if he fails to pay.
- The court assessed Acklom’s criminal benefit at £710,000, and the CPS said he remains liable for the shortfall with interest accruing at 8% per year after the deadline.
- Judge Martin Picton rejected a defense request to delay the hearing, said Acklom was fit to give evidence, and the defendant listened by video link without speaking or turning on his camera.
- Prosecutors raised concerns about remote testimony and the judge noted limits to enforcing any order while Acklom resides in Spain, expressing doubts the money will be recovered.
- Acklom duped Carolyn Woods out of nearly £300,000 in 2012 by posing as a Swiss banker and MI6 agent, was extradited from Switzerland and jailed in 2019, then extradited to Spain in 2021 and released there in 2023.