HUSBAND & WIFE FRAUDSTERS IN THE DOCK AFTER SPENDING SPREE
16 Aug 2005 12:45 PM
A Leeds couple who ripped off local businesses by writing fraudulent
cheques have been sentenced at Bradford Crown Court after a
successful DTI prosecution.
Tina Patel, 28, was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment and her
husband Davindra, 29, received a two year community rehabilitation
order after they pleaded guilty to setting up a company while
bankrupt, obtaining a hire vehicle by deception and twelve other
offences of obtaining property by deception. They were also banned
from acting as directors for seven years.
The pair had been declared bankrupt on 24th June 2002 but set up
Ironmade Distribution Limited, and acted as directors even though
their bankruptcies barred them from doing this. When Tina Patel
attended the Official Receiver's office she deliberately concealed
that she had started a new company and was acting as a director.
Tina Patel used a stolen chequebook to make fraudulent purchases
leaving local businesses out of pocket. Mrs Patel used one of the
stolen cheques to hire a car; she then went on a spending spree,
writing forged cheques for more than £22,000, which were not honoured
by the bank.
In sentencing Tina Patel the judge stated that the offences, some of
which were committed on bail, were so serious that only an immediate
custodial sentence could be justified.
Tina Patel's sentence also included a custodial sentence for two
separate offences of evading liability by deception, obtaining
services by deception and theft and false accounting prosecuted by
the CPS.
Notes to Editors
1. Business suppliers that were ripped off by Tina Patel and Ironmade
Distribution Limited supplied a range of toiletries, greetings cards
and fancy goods and were based in Bradford, Bristol and Rochdale.
2. Tina Patel was sentenced for 14 counts upon the DTI's prosecution
to 6 months imprisonment, each to run concurrently. She was also
disqualified from acting as a company director for seven years.
3. Davindra Patel was sentenced to 2 years Community Rehabilitation
Order and seven years disqualification upon the DTI's prosecution
under s11 of the Company Director's Disqualification Act 1986 (see
point 4 below).
4. Tina Patel was sentenced to twelve months upon two separate
prosecutions by the CPS, one of thee and one of nine months.
5. To act as a director of, or directly or indirectly to take part in
or be concerned in the promotion, formation or management of a
company, except with the leave of the court, whilst an undischarged
bankrupt, is an offence contrary to s11 of the Company Director's
Disqualification Act 1985.
6. Making a material omission in a statement under s291 Insolvency
Act 1986 relating to your affairs is an offence contrary to s356(1)
of the Insolvency Act 1986.
7. Obtaining property by deception is an offence contrary to s15(1)
of the Theft Act 1968
8. Obtaining services by deception is an offence contrary to s1(1) of
the Theft Act 1978.
9. The Insolvency Service is an executive agency of the Department of
Trade and Industry. Its official receivers have responsibility for
the administration and investigation of bankruptcies and companies
that are put into liquidation by Order of the Court.
10. Where Official Receivers discover conduct by bankrupts that might
constitute a criminal offence, the matters are reported to the
Department of Trade and Industry Legal Services (Prosecution) branch
with a view to the investigation and prosecution of any offences,
where appropriate.
For further information about the Insolvency Service and
disqualification see www.insolvency.gov.uk
Department of Trade and Industry
7th Floor
1 Victoria Street
London SW1H 0ET
Public Enquiries +44 (0)20 7215 5000
Textphone +44 (0)20 7215 6740
(for those with hearing impairment)
www.dti.gov.uk