Menu
09/04/2010
Three Guilty Of Mortgage Fraud
Three people have been convicted of fraudulently taking out a mortgage on a house in the Forest of Dean following a lengthy investigation.
The investigation began in November 2008 when a property in Central Lydbrook was raided in an operation led by Gloucestershire County Council funded police constable.
Officers acting on intelligence uncovered a large number of cannabis plants and seven people were subsequently arrested.
Evidential reasons meant that no one was ever charged with offences relating to the cannabis plants, however three people were charged with conspiracy to obtain a mortgage by deception at the end of a long financial inquiry.
The three people concerned, who are 31-year-old Louise Butler, from Barry, South Wales; Mark Fowles, 39, from Northfield, Birmingham, and 39-year-old John Cope, from Anvil Street, Bristol, have now all pleaded guilty to the offence.
At Gloucester Crown Court on Tuesday they were sentenced to a 12 month Community Order with 150 hours unpaid work in the case of Cope.
A 10 month prison term suspended for 12 months and 200 hours unpaid work was handed down to Fowles and a 10 month prison sentence suspended for 12 months as well as a 12 month supervision order in the case of Butler.
Chief Inspector Phil Haynes, who oversees policing in the Forest of Dean, said: "This investigation started out to be a relatively straight forward drugs operation and it was very effectively dealt with by the Safer Community Team and PC Sleeman, one of our County Council Funded Officers.
"However, as can happen with these cases, it then diverted into a case of financial fraud and was managed in conjunction with our Economic Crime Unit."
The basis of the fraud charge was that Butler and Fowles, in an effort to avoid taxation costs, approached Cope and offered him £5000 to allow them to use his personal details when making the application for a mortgage.
He agreed and Butler then used her position as a financial advisor to process the relevant papers through the mortgage lender.
The repayments were made by Fowles via bank accounts held by Cope to hide the true origin of the funds.
(PR/GK)
The investigation began in November 2008 when a property in Central Lydbrook was raided in an operation led by Gloucestershire County Council funded police constable.
Officers acting on intelligence uncovered a large number of cannabis plants and seven people were subsequently arrested.
Evidential reasons meant that no one was ever charged with offences relating to the cannabis plants, however three people were charged with conspiracy to obtain a mortgage by deception at the end of a long financial inquiry.
The three people concerned, who are 31-year-old Louise Butler, from Barry, South Wales; Mark Fowles, 39, from Northfield, Birmingham, and 39-year-old John Cope, from Anvil Street, Bristol, have now all pleaded guilty to the offence.
At Gloucester Crown Court on Tuesday they were sentenced to a 12 month Community Order with 150 hours unpaid work in the case of Cope.
A 10 month prison term suspended for 12 months and 200 hours unpaid work was handed down to Fowles and a 10 month prison sentence suspended for 12 months as well as a 12 month supervision order in the case of Butler.
Chief Inspector Phil Haynes, who oversees policing in the Forest of Dean, said: "This investigation started out to be a relatively straight forward drugs operation and it was very effectively dealt with by the Safer Community Team and PC Sleeman, one of our County Council Funded Officers.
"However, as can happen with these cases, it then diverted into a case of financial fraud and was managed in conjunction with our Economic Crime Unit."
The basis of the fraud charge was that Butler and Fowles, in an effort to avoid taxation costs, approached Cope and offered him £5000 to allow them to use his personal details when making the application for a mortgage.
He agreed and Butler then used her position as a financial advisor to process the relevant papers through the mortgage lender.
The repayments were made by Fowles via bank accounts held by Cope to hide the true origin of the funds.
(PR/GK)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
01 July 2010
Banksy Fakers Given 12 Month Sentences
Two 'con artists' who sold fake 'Banksy' prints were today given a suspended sentence and banned from selling anything on the internet at Kingston Crown Court. The men, 44-year-old Grant Howard, of Birdhurst Rise, South Croydon, and 45-year-old Lee Parker of Caroline Way, Eastbourne pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud at a hearing on 4 June.
Banksy Fakers Given 12 Month Sentences
Two 'con artists' who sold fake 'Banksy' prints were today given a suspended sentence and banned from selling anything on the internet at Kingston Crown Court. The men, 44-year-old Grant Howard, of Birdhurst Rise, South Croydon, and 45-year-old Lee Parker of Caroline Way, Eastbourne pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud at a hearing on 4 June.
23 January 2012
Effect Of Recession To Last To 2020
A report into the plight of middle-income earners has found the effect of the recession would be felt until 2020. Published on Monday, the report by the leading thinktank Resolution Foundation, found that millions of ordinary families were unlikely to see their earnings return to pre-recession levels for some eight years.
Effect Of Recession To Last To 2020
A report into the plight of middle-income earners has found the effect of the recession would be felt until 2020. Published on Monday, the report by the leading thinktank Resolution Foundation, found that millions of ordinary families were unlikely to see their earnings return to pre-recession levels for some eight years.
03 March 2014
UK Manufacturing Increased Last Month
The rate of manufacturing in the UK grew faster than expected in the month of February, new statistics have revealed. According to the Markit/CIPS Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI), employment within the sector is now expanding at its fastest rate in almost three years. Last month, the Index reached 56.9, up from 56.
UK Manufacturing Increased Last Month
The rate of manufacturing in the UK grew faster than expected in the month of February, new statistics have revealed. According to the Markit/CIPS Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI), employment within the sector is now expanding at its fastest rate in almost three years. Last month, the Index reached 56.9, up from 56.
05 November 2010
UK Property Prices 'Still Falling'
House prices in the three months to October were 1.2% lower than in the preceding three months, according to the Halifax. The financial services provider, part of the Lloyds Banking Group, said prices in October were 2.3% lower than at the end of 2009 on a seasonally adjusted basis (-1.2% unadjusted).
UK Property Prices 'Still Falling'
House prices in the three months to October were 1.2% lower than in the preceding three months, according to the Halifax. The financial services provider, part of the Lloyds Banking Group, said prices in October were 2.3% lower than at the end of 2009 on a seasonally adjusted basis (-1.2% unadjusted).
09 June 2005
Manufacturing output shows slight upward trend
Figures published today by the Office of National Statistics have shown that between March and April this year manufacturing output rose by 0.9%. While analysts warn that monthly growth rates are "volatile" indicators of productivity, there were nonetheless widespread rises in manufacturing, the most significant being increases in output of 2.
Manufacturing output shows slight upward trend
Figures published today by the Office of National Statistics have shown that between March and April this year manufacturing output rose by 0.9%. While analysts warn that monthly growth rates are "volatile" indicators of productivity, there were nonetheless widespread rises in manufacturing, the most significant being increases in output of 2.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:After a dry start this morning rain will spread from the northwest across all parts. This afternoon will be dull with some patchy rain and drizzle. Becoming much milder through the afternoon. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:A cloudy evening and night with a little light rain or drizzle, perhaps some clear periods developing along the east coast. A very mild night everywhere. Minimum temperature 10 °C.
