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Divorce tycoon's wife given week reprieve over eviction
Paul Cheston, Courts Correspondent6 Oct 2009
The estranged wife of the tycoon in a bitter £400m divorce battle was today given a one-week reprieve from eviction.
Michelle Young and her two daughters have been served with a possession order to evict them and have threatened to squat in their £2.8 million home in Regents Park.
Mrs Young, 45, is caught up in a divorce wrangle with husband Scot Young, the multi-millionaire described as a "fixer" for the rich and powerful.
He has withdrawn maintenance and she is pressing for him to be jailed for failing to meet High Court orders to declare his wealth.
Today the eviction hearing was due at the Central London County Court but was adjourned until next week.
Mrs Young intends to fight t stay in the elegant townhouse to prevent her, Scarlet, 17, and 14-year-old Sasha, becoming homeless.
The property's owners are listed on the land registry as the Bolands, a wealthy couple from New York, who were not a court today.
However, Mrs Young claims the home is actually owned by her husband.
Mr Young denies being the owner and insists he is doing everything possible to prevent his family being evicted.
In statement today Mr Young said: "I am not going to give any interviews, these are private and confidential family matters and I do not wish to perpetuate the media circus which I find morally repellent.
"I have done everything to assist in every way to assure my family has occupation of the property. I have nothing further to say."
Friends of Mrs Young say the property owners have sent a letter to all of her neighbours informing them she was to be evicted.
The friend, who asked not to be named, said: "She's already fighting one court battle over the divorce, now she has to appear in the county court for this.
"The toll this is taking on her and the girls is tremendous. It's amazing to think a father would allow his own children to be forced out of their home.
"Michelle, has no idea what she will do if this goes ahead. She may even squat."
Mr Young's fortune was valued at £400m in 2006 but he now claims to be penniless and facing bankruptcy.
His wife is suing for divorce and maintenance at the High Court to force him to reveal details of his "expensive homes, cars, jewellery and yachts, and those with whom he has done business."
A High court judge had ordered him to explain the whereabouts of his fortune but at a hearing last week his lawyers argued he could nlt comply because of a mental breakdown which led him to receive psychiatric treatment in an NHS hospital in West London.
Mrs Young's legal team claimed in court that the 47-year-old businessman is faking the mental illness as stalling technique.
After last week's hearing Mrs Young launched a stunning attack on her husband's friends, including Sir Tom Hunter, the billionaire entrepreneur and Top Shop boss Sir Philip Green for supporting him, while her family faced ruin.
Restauranteur Richard Caring had lent Mr Young £50,000 for his legal costs, the court had heard.
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EDITED by admin @ 16.38 on October 6 2009
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- Adam, London, 06/10/2009 14:57
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EDITED by admin @ 16.38 on October 6 2009
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- Burton J Helling, LE HOMMET D'ARTHENAY, FRANCE, 06/10/2009 13:28
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EDITED by admin @ 16.38 on October 6 2009
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- Jon, london, 06/10/2009 13:11
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