Pauline Chai, the Miss Malaysia wife of Laura Ashley tycoon Khoo Kay Peng, had filed to divorce her husband in a £500m case - yet earlier this month the businessman failed to turn up at the High Court for the second time.
The judge expressed his disgust at Dr Peng's non-attendance and dismissed the tycoon's excuse - that a former Malaysian judge advised him to stay away - as "complete rubbish". Mr Justice Holman concluded Dr Peng was treating the court with contempt and "playing games".
The former beauty queen, 66, and the business tycoon, 74, began the bitter proceedings - which could result in Britain's biggest divorce settlement - after their 43-year marriage broke down last year.
Dr Peng wants the case to be heard in a court in his native Malaysia, where it is believed that his wife would be entitled to less.
Besides having a 40% stake in Laura Ashley, Dr Peng is a director of the Corus Hotel chain and runs a global investment company. Estimates have put his wealth at up to £1bn.
The collapse of the couple's marriage has resulted in a surreal situation at Rossway Park, their estate near Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire. Ms Chai lives in the main 15-bedroom home, while her husband uses the nearby five-bedroom manor house. Each has their own Gurkha protection team who guard their respective portions of the estate, which boasts a menagerie of exotic animals and two artificial lakes.
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