A FORMER North Yorkshire businessman was today facing jail after his deceit twice failed to win him court cases sparked by his marital break-ups.

A jury at York Crown Court found Graham Shipley, 57, guilty of perjuring himself twice in divorce proceedings as he hid hundreds of thousands of pounds from his first wife, Susan, 59.

They did not know that nearly two years ago a judge at York County Court had not believed him after he told a similar story to the one he told them in a bid to keep £150,000 from his second wife, Jennifer Shipley, 44, of Strensall.

But they did know that he only gave Susan Shipley £50-a-week maintenance for their youngest child, and later stopped all maintenance payments on the grounds that he could not afford it, when he had £233,000 in the bank.

After the jury's verdicts, Recorder Deborah Sherwin said: "At this stage it looks to me as if a custodial sentence is the only option." Adjourning his case for a pre-sentence report and releasing him on bail, she warned him off taking retaliatory action against any of the prosecution witnesses. Both wives and Jennifer Shipley's new partner, John Sutton, also of Strensall, gave evidence against him. They were delighted by the verdicts.

Graham Shipley, formerly of Ampleforth and now of Mullinaclry, Clones, County Monaghan, had denied perjuring himself at Lincoln County Court on July 6, 1989, by concealing a £150,000 gift from his employer, Frank Cosgrove, and on December 5, 1992, by declaring he had no money in the bank.

He made no comment as he left court, but his solicitor Peter Downes said he was considering an appeal. He will be sentenced on February 25.

Susan Shipley said: "The law has at last caught up with him. Justice has been done"

John Sutton, speaking on behalf of himself and Jennifer Shipley, said: "We are both absolutely delighted with the outcome."

In the civil case, Mr Cosgrove sued Graham and Jennifer Shipley, claiming they had to repay him the £150,000. Both men claimed to York County Court it was a loan, but she said it was a gift. The judge did not believe them and found in her favour. The men also gave evidence at York Crown Court that the money was a loan.

Updated: 12:20 Thursday, January 23, 2003