A FORMER builder who bought the former family home of 1950s Prime Minster Sir Anthony Eden can today be unmasked as a fraudster with multiple identities.

William Davenport was jailed for six years at Teesside Crown Court after he fraudulently secured hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of finance to buy historic Windlestone Hall, near Rushyford, County Durham.

The Northern Echo:

Windlestone Hall, which Davenport bought

Davenport, 60, a three-time bankrupt, admitted a series of mortgage frauds in respect of Barclays Bank.

The court also heard evidence that he had used a variety of false identities and applied for official documents including passports and driving licences in those names over the past 15 years.

He and his American wife Ann, who has now returned to the US, also posed as wealthy investors in order to purchase other stately homes in the UK and the US.

In 2011, Davenport approached Durham County Council, the former owner of Windlestone Hall, stating he had “significant financial means” offshore which could not be realised without incurring heavy tax liabilities.

Instead, among a series of fraudulent applications, he acquired a loan from Barclays to buy Windlestone for £241,000, a sum far below the £2.3m the county council had conditionally accepted from a developer five years earlier.

Davenport, who has also used the surname Green (his birthname) and Carrington in the past, presented false documentation to the bank saying he was employed by an American company and earnt £430,000 a year, but in reality his and his family’s financial circumstances were dire.

The Northern Echo:

A photo released by William Davenport before he was charged with fraud showing the dilapidated state of the premises

The Recorder of Middlesbrough, Judge Simon Bourne-Arton told Davenport: “You are a man who is prepared to seek to buy valuable properties without the means of doing so, lying to achieve that aim.

“You seek to give the appearance of wealth and standing and have searched for a lifestyle without the means of paying for it.

“You have changed your name from time to time, no doubt in order to hide your background.

“You have a history of bankruptcy and CCJs all the while seeking to give the impression of someone who has been successful and in a position of stature.”

The judge said in 2011 Davenport’s “greedy eyes” had turned to the Grade II* listed property.

In order to pay for the hall and refurbish it he pursued four mortgage applications with Barclays Bank, forging documents which appeared to demonstrate his wealth.

Judge Bourne-Arton said: “Had your plans gone through the total indebtedness to Barclays would have been £2.9m, set against a potential asset of £1.5m.”

The court was told it was a sophisticated, well planned fraud, which used a number of forgeries.

Davenport, who is currently in a wheelchair and un able to be wheeled into the dock, was sentenced via a video link from Teesside Magistrates Court, across the way from the crown court.

The judge said: “Throughout you were a thoroughly dishonest and greedy man.

“It is said that you were doing the council a favour by taking this property off their hands.

“The only person you were seeking to do a favour was yourself.”

The judge said he did not accept a submission on Davenport’s behalf that he was living in relative poverty at the hall.

However, he did take into account the defendant’s health, age, lack of previous convictions and character references that were handed into the court on his behalf.

Judge Bourne-Arton said the six-year jail sentence would be difficult for Davenport, given his medical condition, but added that he had maintained his position of being not guilty right to the end in the face of overwhelming evidence.

Speaking afterwards, Sgt Rob Pollard, from Durham Constabulary’s financial investigations team, said: “Davenport spun a web of lies in an elaborate fraud befitting a film plot.

“He concocted a labyrinthine of deceit in order to fraudulently obtain cash to buy historic property.

“This real-life Walter Mitty clearly thought he was above the law.

“However, following a complex investigation spanning more than two years, Davenport’s lies unravelled.

“I welcome today’s sentence which sends a clear message to anyone who thinks they can get away with cheating the system."