Divorce judge stops husband selling off castle library

Mr Justice Holman said Christopher Nightingale owed estranged wife Sally money and still owned the library at Appleby Castle –which used to be the “matrimonial home” – in Appleby, Cumbria.

The judge suggested that the library was of “quite considerable value” and he ordered Mr Nightingale not to dispose of it.

Details have emerged in a written ruling published by Mr Justice Holman following a High Court hearing in London.

The ruling says Mr Nightingale lives in Singapore and Mrs Nightingale in Cumbria. The Appleby Castle website lists Mrs Nightingale as the castle owner.

Mr Justice Holman’s library order was part of a wider freezing injunction imposed on Mr Nightingale after divorce proceedings were launched.

He has also been told not to dispose of the proceeds of the sale of some shares.

The judge said another hearing would be needed to establish how much Mr Nightingale owed Mrs Nightingale.