Jail for fraudster, formerly of Newark, who failed to pay out £116,000 from estates he was the executor of

A fraudster who repeatedly frustrated the legal process has finally been jailed — more than seven years after he was reported to police.

James Raynham-Gallivan, aged 71, was reported to detectives in March 2018 after failing to pay out more than £116,000 from two estates he was the executor of.

Raynham-Gallivan received the money from the estates over a period of around two years but then made a series of excuses as to why the money could not be paid to the named beneficiary.

He then caused multiple delays to the legal process by repeatedly saying he was too ill to be questioned.

On multiple occasions he reported debilitating symptoms that meant he was either too unwell or lacked the mental capacity to sit through interviews with detectives.

After he was finally charged and summonsed to court in June 2020, he repeatedly offered evidence that he was too ill both physically and mentally to enter a plea or to stand trial — causing multiple delays to his case.

A subsequent investigation revealed that he had made multiple ferry crossings to Ireland, enjoyed foreign holidays, and regularly drove his car on long journeys.

Raynham-Gallivan, formally of Newark and now of Scarisbrick, Lancashire, eventually appeared at Nottingham Crown Court on February 13 this year and pleaded guilty to two counts of fraud by abuse of position.

He was cleared of another charge of perverting the course of justice after no evidence was offered.

After being remanded into custody he reappeared at court on Wednesday, July 30, and was jailed for 27 months.

Detective Constable Sonya Thompson-Kirby, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “At the heart of this case is a grieving victim who was taken advantage of in the most appalling way.

“Raynham-Gallivan took advantage of her grief and the trust she placed in him to defraud her of a very large amount of money.

“He then caused years of unnecessary delay to the justice system.

“Multiple interview and court dates came and went, and there were times we wondered whether he would ever be held to account for his actions.

“I am pleased he has finally been jailed and would like to place on record my sincere thanks to his victim for her patience and understanding during this investigation.”