James Stunt is a British businessman, socialite, former gold dealer, and art collector. He became widely known after his marriage to Petra Ecclestone. She is the daughter of former Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone.

His public life has included wealth, business, art, divorce, bankruptcy, and court cases. Some of these events drew large media interest. His name also became linked with a major money laundering trial.

In March 2025, a jury found him not guilty of money laundering. He had also been cleared of a forgery charge in 2022. These verdicts are key facts in his legal history.

Quick Bio

Who Is James Stunt?

James Stunt first became a public figure through his relationship with Petra Ecclestone. The couple had been together for several years before they married. Their link brought him into the world of a famous Formula One family.

Petra is the daughter of Bernie Ecclestone. He spent many years at the center of Formula One. This family connection brought strong press attention to the couple.

Stunt also built a public image through business and art. He dealt in gold and precious metals. He also owned or dealt with valuable art.

His later court cases gave the public more facts about his business and finances. Court records also showed details about his art. These records are more useful than gossip or unproved claims.

Marriage to Petra Ecclestone

James Stunt married Petra Ecclestone in August 2011. The wedding took place at Castello Odescalchi in Bracciano, Italy. The castle is near Rome.

The wedding drew strong media attention. Many well known guests attended the event. The ceremony also linked two families that were already known in business and society.

The couple later had three children. Their children have stayed mostly out of public life. This article does not include private claims about them.

The marriage lasted for about six years. In 2017, the couple separated and later divorced. The split became a major story in the British press.

What Happened During the Divorce?

The divorce started in 2017. Court records later described the split as difficult. There were also disputes linked with access to the children.

Many reports focused on money, homes, cars, and other assets. Some reports gave very large figures. Not all of those claims were proved in court.

After the divorce, Stunt faced more pressure on his finances. In August 2018, a worldwide restraint order froze many of his assets. The order also affected companies linked with him.

This period changed his public life. He moved from stories about wealth and luxury to legal and money problems. His later bankruptcy made that change even clearer.

Gold Business and Stunt & Co

James Stunt worked in the gold and precious metals trade. He used the company Stunt & Co for part of this work. His business later became important in a major criminal case.

During the trial, the court heard about plans for a gold refinery. The plan was to turn scrap gold into high purity gold bars. Stunt said he believed this was a normal business project.

He also worked with people linked to Fowler Oldfield. The firm dealt with scrap gold. The business link later became part of the money laundering case.

Prosecutors said criminal cash passed through firms tied to the gold trade. Stunt denied knowing that the cash came from crime. A jury later found him not guilty.

Bankruptcy and Frozen Assets

A worldwide restraint order was made in August 2018. It froze assets linked with Stunt and two companies. The order limited how he could use money and property.

A bankruptcy petition followed in September 2018. He was made bankrupt on June 6, 2019. His frozen assets made it harder for him to deal with debts.

The bankruptcy later affected his art collection. Trustees had to decide which works belonged to his estate. This led to a major court fight over an old painting.

That case became one of the best known civil disputes linked with him. It involved his father, Geoffrey Lee Stunt. It also involved a work by Anthony van Dyck.

What Happened in the Van Dyck Painting Case?

The dispute centered on The Cheeke Sisters. It is a seventeenth century portrait by Anthony van Dyck. The painting was bought in 2013.

Stunt and his father said the painting belonged to his father. His bankruptcy trustees did not agree. They argued that Stunt was the real buyer and owner.

The High Court reviewed sale papers and other records. It also looked at earlier claims about the painting. The judge then ruled for the trustees in March 2024.

The court found that the painting belonged to Stunt. It was therefore part of his bankruptcy estate. His father did not win the ownership claim.

Forgery Charge and 2022 Verdict

James Stunt also faced a forgery charge. The case involved a bank document linked with plans to buy a work by Andy Warhol.

The court heard that his assistant, Francesca Sota, had signed his name. Stunt said he had allowed her to do this. He also said he was in a hospital at the time.

He denied that he had tried to commit fraud. The jury heard the evidence and considered the charge. In December 2022, both Stunt and Sota were found not guilty of forgery.

The same trial also included a money laundering charge. The jury did not reach a final verdict on that charge. Prosecutors later brought the money laundering case back to court.

Why Was James Stunt Tried for Money Laundering?

Prosecutors said a large amount of criminal cash moved through several businesses. They said the money was used to buy gold. The case covered events from 2014 to 2016.

The prosecution said cash was delivered to Stunt & Co and other firms. It said the gold was later sent to Dubai. Stunt denied knowing about any criminal plan.

His defense said he believed he was involved in lawful gold trading. He said others had misled him. He denied taking part in money laundering.

A second trial took place at Leeds Crown Court. On March 4, 2025, the jury found Stunt not guilty. Four other men in the same case were convicted.

The 2025 Acquittal

The 2025 verdict ended a long criminal case for James Stunt. He had faced a serious money laundering charge. The jury cleared him.

This fact matters because an accusation is not a conviction. He was not found guilty of money laundering. His legal record from this case must be stated with care.

The wider case did lead to convictions for other men. Those results did not change Stunt’s own verdict. His result was not guilty.

After the verdict, he thanked the jury and his legal team. He also spoke about wanting a more private life. The case had lasted for years.

Legal Aid Costs Reported in 2026

In early 2026, reports gave new details about the cost of his legal defense. The figure came from a Freedom of Information request. It said more than £2.17 million had been paid to his lawyers.

His assets had been frozen before his bankruptcy and trial. This helped him qualify for legal aid. The public cost then became a news story after his acquittal.

Reports also said that he did not have to repay the legal aid after being cleared. This was linked with the rules that applied to his case.

The legal aid issue does not change the court result. He was acquitted of money laundering in March 2025. That remains the main fact from the criminal case.

Art Collection and Public Image

James Stunt became known for his interest in art. Court records show that valuable works formed part of his assets. His collection later became important during bankruptcy.

The Van Dyck case is the clearest example. It showed how ownership of one painting could affect the bankruptcy estate. The High Court ruled that the work belonged to him.

His name was also linked with an Andy Warhol work during the forgery case. That case ended with a not guilty verdict. This should not be confused with the separate Van Dyck civil case.

The press has often linked Stunt with luxury cars, fine wine, art, and costly homes. Some reports gave large values for these items. This article avoids figures that are not needed or not firmly proved.

Life After the Major Court Cases

The 2025 acquittal closed the main money laundering case against Stunt. It came after his 2022 acquittal on the forgery charge. These two verdicts are central to his recent legal history.

His bankruptcy and the Van Dyck case were separate matters. The art case was a civil ownership dispute. It was not a criminal conviction.

His public story now covers several clear areas. These include his marriage to Petra Ecclestone, gold trading, art, bankruptcy, and legal cases.

Stunt remains best known to many people as Petra Ecclestone’s former husband. Yet his business and court history also form a large part of his public profile.

FAQs

Who is James Stunt?

James Stunt is a British businessman, former gold dealer, socialite, and art collector. He is also known as the former husband of Petra Ecclestone. His public life has included gold trading, bankruptcy, art disputes, and major court cases.

When did he marry Petra Ecclestone?

He married Petra Ecclestone in August 2011. Their wedding took place at Castello Odescalchi in Bracciano, Italy. The couple divorced in 2017 after about six years of marriage.

How many children do Stunt and Petra Ecclestone have?

The former couple have three children. Their children have remained mostly private. Reliable public records confirm the number of children.

Was Stunt convicted of money laundering?

No. A jury at Leeds Crown Court found him not guilty of money laundering on March 4, 2025. Four other men in the same trial were convicted, but Stunt was cleared.

What happened to the Anthony van Dyck painting?

The High Court ruled in March 2024 that the Anthony van Dyck painting belonged to Stunt. The court found that it formed part of his bankruptcy estate. His father’s ownership claim did not succeed.