Two arms dealers
who sold military body armour to entities in the middle east and
Iraq were sentenced today at Southwark Crown Court, after an
investigation by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).
Jason Teal and Glynn Jones sent hundreds of bullet-proof body
armour, helmets and to Iraq and Kuwait, among other destinations.
Jason was sentenced to 2 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 2 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.”
Notes to Editors
1. Details of defendants are as follows:
Jason Teal, DOB 09/04/70, of Igtenhill Park Lane, Burnley,
guilty of being knowingly concerned in the exportation of goods
with intent to evade the prohibition or restriction thereon,
sentenced to two years, subject to a £9,000 confiscation order and
£30,000 costs.Glynn Jones, DOB15/01/62, of Huddersfield Road,
Newhay, Rochdale, guilty of being knowingly concerned in the
exportation of goods with intent to evade the prohibition or
restriction thereon, sentenced to 50 weeks suspended for two years
and £9,000 costs.
2. Teal and Jones both worked for Armour Products International
(API), a Bolton based manufacturer and supplier of military
protective clothing. Jason Teal was the Managing Director of API
until June 2006. Glynn Jones was Operations Manager until November
2005, when he became Technical Director.
3. The deals took place between 2003 and 2005.
4. For those receiving this release by email, photographs are
available from http://nds.coi.gov.uk/Content/Detail.aspx?ReleaseID=414567&NewsAreaID=2&ClientID=257
Contacts:
Sara Gaines
Phone: 020 7147 0394
sara.gaines@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk
Jonathan Hall
Phone: 020 7147 0052
jonathan.hall@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk