Conman jailed for failing to pay £129,000 to his victims

Paul Garland, 45, was jailed for two and a half years in 2006 after swindling his neighbours in York out of £164,000.

Garland has now been sentenced to another 26 months in prison for failing to failing to repay his fraud victims, Brian and Philippa Manley.

Police have also launched an investigation into the lavish lifestyle he led after the end of the original jail term.

Since January last year Garland spent more than £50,000 renting a mansion in Knutsford, Cheshire, police said.

He also drove two Bentley convertible cars and is alleged to have disguised his income by passing funds through a Swiss bank account.

Det Con Steve Warner, from Cheshire Police’s economic crime unit, said: “Although Paul Garland is now serving a prison sentence for failing to pay the compensation order, we will continue to examine the circumstances surrounding how he sustained his wealthy lifestyle.”

Garland acted as a consultant for Leeds United as they tried to stave off financial oblivion in 2004. He failed in attempts to broker two takeovers. His dealings with the Elland Road club pre-date the involvement of the current owners.

Cheshire Police said Garland’s failure to adhere to the terms of the compensation order was exacerbated by his “millionaire’s lifestyle”.

A spokesman said that since January 2010 Garland had spent over £50,000 renting a luxury mansion in Cheshire and also drove two Bentleys.

The spokesman added that Garland had posed as a business entrepreneur and a successful football financier.

Despite his luxury lifestyle, the compensation order remained unpaid.

In 2006 York Crown Court was told that Leeds United were not aware that Garland was a bankrupt conman.

He befriended Brian and Phillippa Manley, his neighbours in Strensall, York, and set about stealing their life savings. Judge Paul Hoffman said the deceptions were “quite outrageous”.