Jim's Loire passes 250,000 milestone

Part of Château de Chenonceau on the Cher

I'm delighted to see that Jim's Loire has attracted just over 250,000 visits since September 2008. Our thanks to all of our readers, in particular those who visit these pages regularly.

As well as passing a significant milestone – next up 500,000! – today has seen the sentencing of Paul Craven and Oseghale Hayble for their part in defrauding investors who believed they were buying First Growth Bordeaux. Instead they were fuelling the fraudsters' coke-driven spending splurge.

See report on sentencing here.

Following today's stage in the Tour de France I have updated the list of all-time stage wins here.

The Bordeaux Wine Trading Company: Paul Craven guilty of fraud

There are a number of reasons why I'm delighted that Paul Craven, 'managing director' of the Bordeaux Wine Trading Company Ltd (BWTC) was found guilty of fraudulent trading on Monday at the second time of asking. 

The guilty verdict shows that you can't just take investors' money on the pretence that you are buying Bordeaux en primeur, and instead blow it on a succession of cars, expensive watches, almost continuous holidays, a flat and £100 a week cocaine habit.

Read the rest of the post here on my investdrinks' blog.

The Bordeaux Wine Trading Company: fraud trial 30th June + 1st July 2011

Report (part finished) on investdrinks blog here of Paul Craven's evidence at St Albans Crown Court (30th June and 1st July).

Bordeaux Wine Trading Company: fraud trial report 20th June

My report on the evidence given on Monday 20th June during the fraud trial at St Albans Crown Court is now complete. Two salesmen and Frederick Achom, one of the owners of the Bordeaux Wine Company, gave evidence. Please see here.

A report on Paul Craven's evidence given on 30th June will be posted shortly.  

The Bordeaux Wine Trading Company: fraud trial 20th June 2011

Part report on the trial now up on the investdrinks' blog here

Fraud trial@St Albans Crown Court – Bordeaux Wine Trading Company

Château Lafite and other first growths: clients ordered, paid but company didn't place orders

Long day@St Albans Crown Court with three witnesses appearing on the third day of the trial of Paul Craven and Oseghale Hayble accused of fraudulent trading with respect to the Bordeaux Wine Trading Company. The crown prosecutor is Ann Evans, Samantha Cohen is defending Paul Craven and John Femi-Ola is the defence for Oseghale Hayble. His Honour Judge John Plumstead is hearing the case. 

Among those giving evidence today was Frederick Achom, who testified that he was the owner of the Bordeaux Wine Company. The trial started last Thursday.