A notorious conman, Mark Acklom, who admitted to defrauding a woman of her life savings by falsely claiming to be an MI6 agent, is now appealing a court order mandating him to repay his victim. Acklom pleaded guilty in 2019 to defrauding Carolyn Woods of £300,000, though Woods maintains her losses were closer to £850,000. Bristol Crown Court had ordered Acklom to refund Woods £125,000 by December 2025, but he has now been granted leave to appeal this decision, leading to further uncertainty regarding the timeline for any potential repayment.
The appeal is understood to be based on 'technical grounds' concerning how the court calculated Acklom's available assets. Specifically, it disputes whether 'tainted gifts' should have been included in the assessment. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) defines a 'tainted gift' as property that a person with a criminal lifestyle sells or gives away, where its value is significantly less than its original value at the time of transfer. The CPS has indicated that it is not possible to estimate how long the Court of Appeal will take to reach the next stage of its process, prolonging the wait for Woods.
Carolyn Woods met Acklom in Gloucestershire in 2012, where he initiated a romance scam, convincing her he was an MI6 agent and a property developer. During their year-long relationship, he used her money to fund a prestigious house in Bath. Acklom was sentenced to five years and eight months in prison after admitting to five counts of fraud. The ongoing appeal has deeply frustrated Woods, who has publicly stated that the delay is 'ridiculous' and that she believes the criminal justice system is 'not fit for purpose'.
The judge who originally issued the confiscation order had previously voiced 'gravest doubts' about whether Acklom would ever make the repayment, noting there was 'no effective sanction' if he failed to do so. This sentiment is now echoed by the practical implications of the appeal, which adds another layer of legal process before Woods can hope to see any of her lost savings returned. The Ministry of Justice has stated its commitment to ensuring criminals pay what they owe, including taking money from benefits or salaries, with non-payment potentially leading to further jail time.
Acklom is reportedly living in Spain, and the court previously heard that he would be unlikely to return to the UK due to fears of further imprisonment if he failed to comply with the order. This case highlights the complexities and lengthy nature of recovering funds from fraudsters, even after a conviction and a court order for repayment. The continued legal challenges can place significant emotional and financial strain on victims already grappling with the impact of fraud.