Owner of listed hall warned he faces jail term for handling stolen tractors

Anthony Gribbin, 32, hit the headlines in 2007 over his plans to restore Leaventhorpe Hall, Thornton, and a legal wrangle with Bradford Council about his development of an equestrian centre.

At Bradford Crown Court yesterday he admitted seven charges of handling stolen goods relating to tractors and other equipment. It is understood that the stolen vehicles had a value in excess of £200,000. The seven charges cover a period between July and October 2009.

Gribbin had been due to go on trial yesterday, but he entered his guilty pleas to the court before a jury was sworn in. Recorder Ben Nolan QC told Gribbin that he had pleaded guilty to very serious offences involving dishonesty and very substantial amounts of money.

He added that he had little doubt that when Gribbin comes back to court to be sentenced in early November he would receive a prison term of some substance.

The judge also made an order under Proceeds of Crime legislation which will mean that investigators will look into Gribbin’s financial affairs before launching a possible confiscation hearing against him.

In 2007 Gribbin said he planned to create a family home at Leaventhorpe Hall after an appeal to the Planning Inspectorate secured the future of his equestrian centre.