Jordan Adlard Rogers, 36, inherited a manor house after a DNA test proved he was the heir to the country estate landowner Charles Rogers, after he died in 2018
14:52, 26 Sep 2025Updated 14:53, 26 Sep 2025
Jordan Adlard Rogers in front of portraits of members of the Rogers family(Image: Cornwall Live / SWNS)
A former care worker who inherited a manor house after a DNA test proved he was the heir to the country estate has been charged with GBH.
Jordan Adlard Rogers, 36, only found out his father was landowner Charles Rogers after his death in 2018. But he has now been accused of attacking a man called Sebastian Winzar last year and has appeared at Truro crown court.
He appeared in court today where he pleaded not guilty to the charge and will face trial next year.
Mr Rogers’ family had lived in the 1,536-acre Penrose Estate between Helston and Porthleven for generations. The family gifted the estate to the National Trust in 1974 in exchange for a 1,000-year lease to live there.
Jordan Adlard Rogers at his newly inherited stately home in 2019.(Image: Cornwall Live / SWNS)
Mr Adlard Rogers said he knew from the age of eight that Mr Rogers may be his father and made several unsuccessful attempts to get a DNA test done.
Because Charles’ mother and brother also passed away, Jordan was left as heir to the grand estate when Charles died. He said after his father died he was finally able to get the test completed.
An inquest heard his father Charles Rogers spent 40 years living as a drug addict and a recluse before dying in his car following an overdose on a heroin substitute.
Charles Rogers’ brother had been a pilot with the RAF and his dad a lieutenant commander in the Royal Navy, “so he had big shoes to fill”, Jordan said at the time.
“He was under huge pressure taking it on, but he was different and a free spirit.” There was always a pressure on him trying to match expectations,” Mr Adlard Rogers added.
The estate makes money from investments in stocks and shares and renting a number of parcels of land to local farmers. Jordan said he had to deal with some obstructive family members but he was finally able to get the test completed and Charles confirmed as his father.
He added: “People say I’m lucky but I would trade anything to be able to go back and for Charles to know I was his son.
“Maybe then he might have taken a different path. I don’t need to work anymore so I want to set up a charity and help the Porthleven and Helston communities.
“I’ve been at the point of worrying about the next bill and have had a tough start in life but now I’m here I want to help people. I’m not going to forget where I’ve come from.”