Client cleared in connection with a £24m MTIC fraud
Our client, Mr Bensley, has been cleared of allegations of his involvement in a £24 million missing trader (MTIC) fraud in 2004/2005.
Mr Bensley was a director of a company trading in mobile phones and computer equipment, The criminal prosecution followed a civil VAT tribunal investigation by HMRC some years previously. HM Revenue & Customs then proceeded with criminal charges in a large-scale fraud case at Kingston Crown Court involving six defendants and lasting five and a half months. The trial included evidence from highly skilled forensic accounting experts and HMRC officers regarding complex VAT transactions.
Mr Bensley was found not guilty of two allegations of money laundering and the jury were discharged from reaching a verdict on a third charge of conspiracy to cheat. All other defendants were convicted. The Prosecution have confirmed that they have formally dropped all matters involving our client.
The solicitors from Bark&co representing Mr Bensley were Maria Stalbow and Sabrik Dhamu. Counsel instructed were Richard Christie QC of 187 Fleet Street and Roxanne Morrell of Carmelite Chambers.
