A NORTH-EAST victim of a timeshare fraud could meet the man who conned him in court.

William Stoker, of Darlington, is among hundreds of victims from across the country who have launched a multi-handed High Court claim against fraudster John Palmer for millions of pounds in compensation.

In writs issued at London's High Court they claim they have lost thousands after being taken in by Palmer.

They are seeking damages for fraudulent and other misrepresentation, deceit, conspiracy, and for money taken from them by Palmer, who was jailed for eight years after a seven-month trial at the Old Bailey in 2001.

Last year, Palmer was convicted of a timeshare fraud that left up to 70,000 holidaymakers out of pocket.

Spanish police spent three years investigating his empire before making a series of arrests.

Police also suspected Palmer of once helping double killer Kenneth Noye flee the country.

His wealth meant he ranked alongside the Queen in the 105th slot on the Sunday Times Rich List. After his trial he had assets of £47m frozen.

A date has not been set for the High Court case, when the court will be asked to order, among other things, that accounts connected with the fraud are disclosed and to order payment of all money found due to the victims of the fraud, which centred on timeshares in Tenerife.

The writ says that Palmer, helped by various individuals and companies, conspired, deceived, and induced those suing him to agree to buy, sell, let, or keep timeshares, by making false statements.

He deceived them about the value of the timeshare, over how quickly a sale could be expected, and what reimbursement they could expect if a timeshare was not sold within a certain time, it is alleged.

Palmer misled them about the status and role of a company called Caldon Limited, saying it was a finance company independent of the company selling the timeshare, and advanced money to that company on account of the purchaser, the writ says.

It also claims that he deceived them about the amount of rent they could expect to receive if they agreed to let their holiday homes.

They say Palmer gave them false hope about the prospect of a quick sale and the dates on which timeshares would be completed and ready for occupation.

Palmer, who has a home in Bath, Somerset, is also accused of failing to account to some of the victims for rent and other income received from letting their timeshares to third parties.