22/07/2010

Pair Jailed Over Iraq Body Armour Deal

Two arms dealers who sold military body armour to entities in the middle east and Iraq were sentenced this week after an investigation by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).

Southwark Crown Court was told on Tuesday that, Jason Teal and Glynn Jones sent hundreds of bulletproof body armour and helmets to Iraq and Kuwait among other destinations.

Jason was sentenced to two years imprisonment and ordered to pay £30,000 towards the cost of the prosecution.

A confiscation order in the amount £9,000 was also made. Jones was sentenced to 50 weeks imprisonment suspended for two years on condition that he completes 200 hours unpaid work in the community. Jones was also ordered to pay £9,000 towards prosecution costs.

Teal and Jones were employees of a body armour supplier who knew it was against the law to export military-grade items to various destinations without authorisation from the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS).

HMRC investigators obtained evidence from Teal and Jones' computers, which showed they knew they were breaking the law in order to secure orders to supply body armour for commercial gain.

The value of these unlicensed supplies was in excess of $6,000,000.

Peter Millroy, Assistant Director of Criminal Investigation for HMRC, said: "Teal and Jones knew the law and were determined to circumvent it simply to make money. Export controls exist for a reason and HMRC will investigate and bring to justice anyone attempting to break the law."

Elspeth Pringle, prosecutor for the CPS Central Fraud Group, said: "Export licences are a vital tool for ensuring that military equipment is not misused in conflict zones.

"Jason Teal and Glynn Jones knew this from their experience in the business, but they tried to deceive the authorities just so they could fulfil orders in time. They flouted the law for the sake of profit - this was both selfish and reckless.

"It is impossible to know where the armour they passed on to others to sell has ended up.

"The sentences today reflect the seriousness of knowingly and willingly ignoring the licensing regime. Mr Teal and Mr Jones knew the law and their responsibilities. This is the price for ignoring both."

(BMcC/KMcA)

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