The principal offender convicted for defrauding a Dorset charitable trust has today had his original three-year prison sentence judged to be unduly lenient and increased to six years. Sentences of two other offenders remain unchanged. In separate proceedings all three offenders in this case have been ordered to pay £1½ million compensation and costs.
At the recommendation of the Serious Fraud Office, the Attorney General referred the sentences of the three offenders in this case to the Court of Appeal as being unduly lenient. The appeal hearing opened today at the Royal Courts of Justice. The appeal judges ruled in favour of the appellant in relation to the offender Guy Pound and his original sentence was quashed and a new sentence handed down. The sentences of Anthony Green and Peter Beard remain unchanged.
Outline
Three construction industry professionals were convicted on 16 February 2004 for defrauding the Talbot Village Trust in Dorset of £3 ½ million through manipulation of building contracts by invoicing for building work not done and disguising inflated professional fees in the contracts.
The trial opened under HHJ Burford at Winchester Crown Court with a jury on 13 January 2003 following legal argument from 28 October 2002 to 18 December 2002. The jury were sent out to consider their verdicts on 2 February 2004 which they returned on 16 February 2004. Sentencing was transferred to Southampton Crown Court. The sentencing details are:
Guy Peter Pound, an architect, was sentenced on 19 April 2004 to three years' imprisonment. He was described as the dominant conspirator in this fraud who exercised considerable influence over the other conspirators. His original sentence has been quashed and a new sentence of six years' imprisonment has been imposed.
Anthony Erskine Green, a quantity surveyor, was sentenced on 26 March 2004 to 9 months' imprisonment suspended for 12 months. Today's judgement was to leave the original sentence stand.
Peter Russell Beard, a quantity surveyor, was sentenced on 26 March 2004 to 9 months' imprisonment suspended for 12 months. Today's judgement was to leave the original sentence stand.
Attorney General Lord Goldsmith said, "Major fraud is a serious offence which can have long term impact on its victims. The decision by the Court of Appeal today has given a clear indication that those who orchestrate these offences can expect substantial penalties. Victims, witnesses and the wider public can have confidence that the criminal justice system will impose sentences that reflect the gravity of the offences and their effect on individuals and society."
Compensation and costs
Court orders made on the defendants to pay compensation to the Talbot Village Trust and to repay costs to the Legal Services Commission amount to around £1½ million. This follows the conclusion of confiscation proceedings against all three defendants heard at Southampton Crown Court. The specific outcomes were that on 9 August 2004, Anthony Green was ordered to pay £168,871 as compensation and Peter Beard to pay £171,584. Each was also ordered to repay £150,000 defence costs. On 4 October 2004, Guy Pound was ordered to pay compensation of £860,280 (or be sentenced to an additional two years' imprisonment in default).
Notes for editors:
SFO press releases relating to this case were issued on 16 February 2004 and 19 April 2004. These can be viewed on www.sfo.gov.uk, click News' or acquired on request to press.office@sfo.gov.uk quoting reference TAL02.
Under the cross government initiative 'Payback', the tracing of and recovery of assets is seen as an important element in the delivery of justice, and sending out a strong deterrent message. Further information on 'Payback' can be found at www.acpo.police.uk
The case was investigated with support from the Dorset Police.
Serious Fraud Office, Elm House, 10-16 Elm Street, London, WC1X 0BJ
Press Office phone 020 7239 7001/7000
Mobile 0781 807 6688
