Goldfinger's £33m reprieve

Appeal Court judges have overturned a £33 million confiscation order imposed on timeshare crook John "Goldfinger" Palmer.

Palmer, 51, from Bath, was ordered to hand over the money in April after being convicted at the Old Bailey last year of conspiracy to defraud. He was jailed for eight years and was told he would have to serve 11 years more if he did not surrender the cash.

But three judges today overruled the confiscation order. They will give their reasons in October. Palmer's assets will remain frozen pending an appeal to the House of Lords.

He was found guilty of swindling holidaymakers in a massive timeshare con. His victims paid out about £ 30 million but never received their share of a holiday home in the sun.

Palmer was called "Goldfinger" after being acquitted of handling gold from the 1983 Brink's-Mat robbery.