Socialite James Stunt’s ‘dirty money’ retrial will begin NEXT YEAR: Ex-husband of F1 heiress Petra Ecclestone faces wait of more than 18 months after jury failed to reach verdict on money-laundering charge

• James Stunt told Leeds Crown Court he was ill today on a videolink while in bed  
• Judge Andrew Stubbs KC said his retrial will begin on September 30, 2024 

Socialite James Stunt faces a wait of more than 18 months before he goes on trial for the second time on a money laundering charge.

The ex-husband of F1 heiress Petra Ecclestone told Leeds Crown Court he was not well today and appeared by videolink in navy blue pyjamas, lying in bed.

Former public schoolboy Stunt, 41 was found not guilty of forgery at the court in December, following a seven-month trial, but a jury failed to reach a verdict on a money-laundering charge.

Today, Judge Andrew Stubbs KC said his retrial will begin on September 30, 2024 and it is expected to last several months.

Socialite James Stunt faces a wait of more than 18 months before he goes on trial for the second time on a money laundering charge

He will go on trial with five other defendants, again at Leeds Crown Court.

The first trial, which included seven other defendants, was in relation to an alleged criminal network which prosecutors said saw £266 million deposited in the bank account of Bradford gold dealer Fowler Oldfield from 2014 to 2016.

The judge said there will be a further case management hearing on September 1, 2023.

Stunt denies one count of money laundering.

Judge Andrew Stubbs KC agreed, in the meantime, that Stunt could have his passport returned and be allowed to leave the country if approved by the prosecution.

The ex-husband of F1 heiress Petra Ecclestone (pictured) told Leeds Crown Court he was not well today and appeared by videolink in navy blue pyjamas, lying in bed

Though he did warn any defendants trying to leave the country without prior notice could be remanded in custody.

The defendant married Ms Ecclestone, daughter of F1 tycoon Bernie Ecclestone, in Italy in 2011.

They had three children together – a daughter followed by twin boys –but divorced in 2017.

In the first trial, four of the defendants – Paul Miller, 45; Heidi Buckler, 45; Alexander Tulloch, 41 and Francesca Sota, 34 – were cleared of money laundering. Ms Sota was also cleared of forgery.

Prosecutors had claimed the eight defendants were part of a scheme to turn the proceeds of crime into untraceable gold.

Jurors heard that, between 2014 and 2016, cash was brought from all over the country to Fowler Oldfield and Stunt’s business premises in London.

It was alleged the defendants then hid its origin by washing it through a company bank account and using the proceeds to buy gold, which was shipped to Dubai.

But all the defendants denied the claims.

Stunt went into a business partnership with Fowler Oldfield’s directors Frankel and Rawson after being introduced to them at the Sheffield Assay Office, where he was building a refinery as part of his business plan to manufacture branded gold bars.

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