British property investor Samuel Leeds, who gained notoriety for boasting about chartering a £150,000 private jet to flee the UAE amid regional conflict, is poised to suffer multi-million-pound losses on his ambitious castle renovation project. The 34-year-old, who markets controversial get-rich-quick property courses online, purchased Ribbesford House in Bewdley, Worcestershire, for £810,000 in 2018, viewing it as a prime development opportunity.
From Dream Investment to Costly Burden
Leeds initially envisioned transforming the Grade II listed mansion into a lucrative wedding venue or hotel. He invested approximately £3 million in extensive renovations, including £500,000 for a new roof, eradication of severe Japanese knotweed infestations, and addressing critical structural issues. Despite these efforts, the 20-bedroom property with 10 reception rooms, nine bathrooms, and three octagonal turrets on nearly eight acres of land remains unfinished and requires further substantial work.
Auction Price Plummets Dramatically
The property's value has plummeted in recent auctions. Initially listed in November 2025 with a guide price of £1.1 million, it failed to sell. A second attempt in January 2026 with a reduced guide price of £900,000 also proved unsuccessful. It is now set for auction with a guide price of just £395,000, less than half of Leeds' original purchase price. Leeds admitted to feeling "burned out" by the project and has "fallen out of love" with the restoration vision, expressing a desire to sell to an enthusiast who can complete the work.
Private Jet Controversy and Online Backlash
Leeds faced widespread mockery earlier this month after posting videos online showing him chartering a £150,000 private jet to leave the UAE, where he resides part-time, while war escalated in the Middle East. In the footage, he suggested stranded travellers simply "drive three hours to Oman" and pay for similar flights, questioning why "everyone's not doing this." Critics condemned his remarks as "embarrassingly crude" and hypocritical, given his prior claims that Dubai was "not even dangerous" despite Iranian missile and drone strikes.
Historical Significance and Personal Regret
Ribbesford House boasts a rich history dating back nearly 1,000 years, with architectural elements from the 16th to 19th centuries. It has hosted notable figures like Rudyard Kipling and Charles De Gaulle and housed 211 French soldiers during World War II. Leeds revealed personal regret, recalling a dinner with a former soldier resident who expressed happiness about the restoration plans before passing away shortly after. Leeds stated, "I feel like a failure because I felt like I had a responsibility to him."
Broader Context and Legal Concerns
Leeds' situation coincides with a wave of influencers defending Dubai's safety online, despite security threats. Under UAE laws, damaging the country's reputation can result in fines up to £200,000 or prison sentences, followed by deportation. Reports indicate that foreign survivors of a drone strike in Dubai were arrested for sharing explosion photos with loved ones. Leeds, who once claimed to move to the UAE to avoid "99.9 per cent of my taxes" and boasts a £20 million portfolio, has been accused by experts of promoting dubious tax loopholes in his courses.
The property still requires planning permission for conversion into 22 residential dwellings. Leeds concluded, "I'm going to lose quite a few million on it, but I'd rather it go to the right person. It just needs love and an enthusiast with vision."
