Jordan Adlard-Rogers, 38, has been found guilty of grievous bodily harm following an incident on July 13, 2024, that left Sebastian Winzar with a fractured leg.
Adlard-Rogers, who inherited the 1,536-acre National Trust Penrose Estate in Cornwall in 2019, used a DNA test to establish he was the illegitimate son of aristocrat Charles Rogers. Rogers died aged 62 from an overdose in August 2018, making Adlard-Rogers the sole heir as his mother and brother had also passed away.
Jurors at Truro Crown Court heard that Adlard-Rogers and Mr. Winzar, acquaintances who had both been drinking at the Out of the Blue pub in Porthleven, Cornwall, engaged in a disagreement. The prosecution stated that Mr. Winzar described Adlard-Rogers as aggressive and that the victim attempted to disengage multiple times. CCTV footage shown in court depicted Adlard-Rogers punching Mr. Winzar, causing him to fall and sustain a double fracture to his left shin. Mr. Winzar was hospitalized for five days.
Adlard-Rogers returned to the pub the following day and told police he had punched Mr. Winzar because he felt threatened and wanted to be left alone. He had previously stated he was "immersing himself in his new way of life" after inheriting the estate.
The Rogers family has a long history on the land, which was gifted to the National Trust in 1974 with a 1,000-year lease for the family to continue residing there. Adlard-Rogers, who had worked as a community support worker, left his job after the inheritance and expressed disbelief at the change in his circumstances.
He had known of the potential paternity since childhood and pursued confirmation through DNA testing. His father's inquest revealed a history of drug abuse and a death from an overdose. Adlard-Rogers has spoken of family pressures his father may have faced.
Adlard-Rogers is scheduled to be sentenced on December 11, with the judge warning that all sentencing options, including immediate custody, are on the table.