POLICE have begun exploring what charges, if any, could be brought against the fugitive wife of Windlestone Hall conman William Davenport.

Durham Police said it was discussing its next move with the Crown Prosecution Service after previously warning that his wife Ann and daughter Meaghan Smith would be arrested if they set foot back in the UK.

Today The Northern Echo publishes a first picture of Ann Davenport, who is now back living in the US after leaving a month after her husband's arrest and is understood to be running a horse riding stables with her daughter.

The prosecution in the case of William Davenport, who was jailed for six years for fraudulently financing the purchase of the hall, alleged they were both complicit in his financial dealings.

Davenport, a three-times bankrupt with multiple identities, lied about his income and forged documents to get a mortgage from Barclays Bank for Grade II* listed Windlestone, the childhood home of former Conservative Prime Minister Sir Anthony Eden.

Detective Sergeant Rob Pollard, of Durham Police, said: “We are in early consultations with the CPS as to whether any other individual should face charges in connection with Windlestone Hall.

“It would need to be established whether there is sufficient evidence, it is in the public interest and if the framework allows us to return them to the UK.”

Davenport’s sister Gisele Dobson, who lives on the Isle of Wight, said: “I am not excusing my brother for what he has done, but she [Ann] is a slippery snake and I would like her to be brought back to Britain to face justice.”

Davenport and his wife, from whom he is now separated, passed themselves off as wealthy American investors to buy expensive properties in England and the US.

She is originally from Surrey, but has American citizenship.

Her daughter Meaghan Smith was the sole director of a supposed software firm, Veneretech, which Davenport claimed, as head of European operations, he was earning £430,000 a year from.

In a statement, a spokesman for Barclays said: "Barclays is alert to the possibility of mortgage fraud and where we identify discrepancies we act swiftly to inform the appropriate agencies and will offer every assistance should this lead to an investigation into our concerns.”

Windlestone is likely to be surrendered to Barclays, which, after gaining possession, plans to sell the 30 bed stately home so that it can then recover its outstanding debt.