Days after being deported from the US, smooth-talking Knysna criminal Guy Hill appeared in the George Regional Court yesterday in connection with a string of charges including allegedly defrauding his parents to the point of bankruptcy.

The businessman served almost five months in a Florida, US, jail for possession of stolen boat parts and arrived back in South Africa at the weekend.

Hill is embroiled in an acrimonious battle with his parents, Bob and Betty Hill, over allegations of fraud involving their construction company.

The family feud, involving millions of rands, has now culminated in a criminal trial in which Hill is facing 49 charges, including theft and fraud.

he case was put on hold while he served prison time in the US.

Hill, 47, allegedly left his parents destitute after running up a mountain of debt in their names. He claimed yesterday a reconciliation with his mother, but he has reportedly been dumped by his wife, Debbie, after rumours reached her that he had an affair in the US.

Hill went to Florida in May last year to meet a potential buyer of his luxury yacht. He hoped to raise money for his defence.

A month later, he was arrested and convicted of possession of stolen boat parts.

Hill allegedly used falsified documents to get a bond in the name of his mother's company, Hill-Pro, on a Knysna property, which he sold for R4.76-million. He also allegedly forged documents and his mother's signature to apply for credit, or falsely claimed he had been authorised by her to apply for credit.