A financial director, who faced allegations of fraud and regulatory charges, has been found not guilty of the offences at Harrow Crown Court.
John Davies, a former employee at SAS Fire and Security Systems Ltd in Stockport, was accused of conspiracy to defraud, along with other minor fraud offences and regulatory offences. Other directors and employees of the business were also charged with the same offences.
The prosecution was led by the Trading Standards Service at the London Borough of Hillingdon Council along with several other councils in relation to trading standards offences of selling fire alarms door-to-door for a nominal sum or free of charge and charging a fee to monitor the systems.
Rachel Adamson, fraud and regulatory associate solicitor at Stephensons Solicitors LLP, said: “Following the prosecution case, the Judge agreed that there was no case to answer on the conspiracy to defraud charge. The minor fraud matters were also dropped following the defence case, leaving Mr Davies to face regulatory breaches. The other company directors faced regulatory breaches and conspiracy to defraud.
“Following the ten-week trial, we are very pleased at the decision to find Mr Davies innocent of the charges against him. He has always maintained his innocence.
“The other directors were acquitted of conspiracy to defraud but convicted of the regulatory offences. Another salesman was acquitted.
“This case is illustrative of the types of difficulties financial directors can find themselves in. Scrutiny of suspected financial fraud within businesses has increased enormously since the downturn in the economy. This scrutiny often taints legitimate professionals, and others involved in running a business can find themselves embroiled in such accusations. The new Consumer regulations are also proving difficult for new businesses and it is wise to take advice.”
Stephensons’ regulatory team deals with complex fraud and regulatory work, HMRC prosecutions and Serious Fraud Office prosecutions.
ENDS
Notes to editors
- Stephensons is recommended by the Legal 500, which says the firm ‘has strength in depth in relation to general crime’. The firm has 30 partners and around 350 staff in offices across Greater Manchester and Merseyside.
For all media enquiries please contact: Lianne Tracey
Stephensons Solicitors LLP
T: 01616 966 229
E: lianne.tracey@stephensons.co.uk