CPS News Brief

Seven charged following investigation into 2010 collapse of Crown Currency Exchange Ltd

Five men and two women have today (August 15) been charged following an investigation into the collapse of currency exchange company, Crown Currency Exchange, and two associated companies.

Sue Patten, Head of Fraud at the Crown Prosecution Service, said:

"Following a thorough investigation by Devon & Cornwall Police, we have today authorised seven people to be charged in connection with two companies operating in the field of foreign currency exchange - Crown Currency Exchange Ltd and Crown Holdings Ltd and a third associated ‘cash for gold’ company - Mayfair and Grant Ltd.

“It is alleged that Peter Benstead and Edward James, joint Directors of Crown Currency Exchange Ltd and Crown Holdings, between December 1 2006 and October 31 2010, knowingly carried on business for a fraudulent purpose and falsified accounts. The secretary to the companies, Stephen Matthews, and senior manager at the companies, Roderick Schmidt, are charged with the same offences.

“Peter Benstead is also charged with theft. It is alleged that he removed over a £1m from the companies of which he was a co-Director during the relevant period. Additionally, he faces two counts of perverting the course of justice, one of which is with his daughters Katey Benstead and Victoria O’Brien, in relation to the alleged burning of documents connected to the companies.

“Further, Peter Benstead is also charged with one count of converting criminal property in relation to the purchase of a property. Peter Benstead’s son Julian Benstead is charged with one count of fraudulent trading and one count of theft of gold, both in relation to ‘cash for gold’ company Mayfair and Grant Ltd, of which Peter Benstead was a joint Director. Peter Benstead along with his daughter Katey are also charged with one count of obtaining a money transfer by deception concerning a fraudulent mortgage application.

“Peter Benstead, Edward James, Stephen Matthews & Roderick Schmidt will also face two counts each of failing to keep adequate accounting records with regards to Crown Currency Exchange Ltd and Crown Holdings Ltd.

"This decision to prosecute was taken in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors. We have determined that there is a realistic prospect of conviction and a prosecution is in the public interest.

“All seven defendants will appear before magistrates on a date to be determined. Criminal proceedings are now underway and the defendants have a right to a fair trial. It is extremely important that nothing should be reported which could prejudice this trial."

Father found guilty of stealing from son’s cancer funds

Kevin Wright was convicted at Nottingham Crown Court today (15 August) of stealing money from funds he set up to finance overseas cancer treatment for his son and three other children.

Wright gathered nearly £1,000,000 in donations across four different funds between May 2005 and December 2008. However, the court heard that more than £800,000 of this money was syphoned off by Wright and spent on various personal investments including a restaurant, a pub, a car dealership, and several family holidays. None of this £800,000 was used for the purpose for which members of the public had entrusted it to him. Fundraising was carried out through the sale of lottery tickets, collection boxes in commercial premises, and through websites.

Andrew West, a specialist fraud lawyer for the Crown Prosecution Service, said:

“Kevin Wright abused his high position of trust in the most cynical and dishonest way possible. Whatever the original motive for setting up the Bobby Wright Cancer Fighting Fund, over time Kevin Wright became adept at manipulating people’s natural sympathies to defraud the public out of vast sums of money.

“Kevin Wright shamelessly used donations to the charitable funds to finance his own business interests and personal lifestyle, believing he had carte blanche to spend the publicly donated money as he liked, and seeing no wrong in deceiving those who were moved to help. Not only were his actions dishonest, they were also often to the detriment of the children and families he claimed to be helping.”

Kevin Wright was found guilty of 10 counts of theft and two of fraud. He will be sentenced at Nottingham Crown Court on 5 September.

Operation Yewtree: David Patrick Griffin charged with 12 offences

The Crown Prosecution Service has today authorised police to charge David Patrick Griffin – also known as Dave Lee Travis - with 11 counts of indecent assault, contrary to section 14 of the Sexual Offences Act 1956 and one count of sexual assault contrary to section 3 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003.

Alison Saunders, Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS London, said:

"We have carefully considered the evidence gathered by the Metropolitan Police Service as part of Operation Yewtree in relation to David Patrick Griffin, who was initially arrested on 15 November 2012 over allegations of sexual offences. A file of evidence was passed to the CPS on 31 July 2013.

"Having completed our review, we have concluded that there is sufficient evidence and it is in the public interest for Mr Griffin to be charged with 11 counts of indecent assault and one of sexual assault. These date from 1977 to 2007 and relate to nine complainants aged between 15 and 29 at the time of the alleged offending.

The charges are:

• One offence of indecent assault relating to a woman, aged 18, in 1977.

• Two offences of indecent assault relating to a girl, aged 15, in 1977.

• One offence of indecent assault relating to a woman, aged 19, in 1978.

• One offence of indecent assault relating to a woman, aged between 26 and 28, on a date between 1981 and 1983.

• One offence of indecent assault relating to a woman, aged 18, in 1983.

• One offence of indecent assault relating to a woman, aged between 19 and 20, on a date in 1985.

• One offence of indecent assault relating to a woman, aged 22, in 1990.

• Three offences of indecent assault relating to a woman, aged between 26 and 29, from 2000 to 2003.

• One offence of sexual assault relating to a woman, aged 23, in 2007.

"The decision to prosecute has been taken in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors and the DPP's interim guidelines on prosecuting cases of child sexual abuse. We have determined that there is sufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction and that a prosecution is in the public interest.

"Mr Griffin will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on 23 August 2013.

"We have also decided that no further action should be taken in relation to seven separate allegations against Mr Griffin as we determined that there was insufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction.

"May I remind all concerned that Mr Griffin has a right to a fair trial. It is very important that nothing is said, or reported, which could prejudice that trial. For these reasons, it would be inappropriate for me to comment further."

Cambridgeshire UKIP candidate Hugh Mennie to be charged over false statements in nomination papers

Simon Ringrose, Specialist Prosecutor in the CPS Special Crime Division, said:

“Following an investigation by Cambridgeshire Police, we have decided that Hugh Mennie, who ran as a UKIP candidate in a local Council election in May 2013, should be charged with making false statements in a nomination form.

“It is alleged that Hugh Mennie falsified details on a nomination paper in order to stand for election to Cambridgeshire County Council. The nomination paper requires a proposer, a seconder and eight other signatures from “assenters” - people who live in the election catchment area. It is alleged that three of these assenter nomination signatures were forged.

“Having carefully considered all available evidence, I have concluded that there is sufficient evidence and that it is in the public interest to charge Hugh Mennie with one count of causing or permitting a false statement to appear in a nomination paper. This decision was taken in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors.

“Hugh Mennie has been summonsed to face criminal charges and will appear before Cambridge Magistrates’ Court on 5 September.

“Criminal proceedings are now underway and Hugh Mennie has a right to a fair trial. It is extremely important that nothing should be reported which could prejudice this trial.”