A MAN ordered to hand a farmhouse in Cumbria to his ex-wife following a family court money battle is facing jail.
Peter Elliott was ordered to leave and hand the property in Appleby to Leonie Butler four years ago. Earlier this year a High Court judge concluded that Mr Elliott was in contempt.
Mr Justice Moylan, who is based in the Family Division of the High Court in London, imposed a suspended six-month sentence on condition that Mr Elliott handed Pinewood House to Ms Butler as ordered.
Two appeal judges refused to over-rule Mr Justice Moylan at a hearing in the Court of Appeal in London on Tuesday.
Presiding judge Lady Justice Macur dismissed an appeal by Mr Elliott and said he had to comply.
Mr Elliott had been told to transfer the house to Ms Butler in 2012 after the pair fought over money following the breakdown of their relationship.
Lady Justice Macur described the case as a "long-running saga".
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