CPS News Brief

Misconduct in public office inquiry - no further action

Gregor McGill, a senior lawyer at the CPS, said:

“Following a careful review of evidence submitted by the Metropolitan Police Service on 23 June 2014, the CPS has decided that there is insufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction in connection with an allegation of conspiracy to commit misconduct in a public office concerning one individual.

“This decision has been taken in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors and CPS guidelines on assessing the public interest in cases affecting the media.

“Due to the ongoing and linked legal proceedings we are unable to provide further reasoning for our decisions at this stage. We will of course consider what more can be said concerning this decision in future.”

Woman who holidayed in Goa while claiming £134k benefits jailed for 27 months

A woman who claimed £134,000 in benefits while holidaying in Goa was jailed for 27 months today [Friday, 25 July].

52-year-old Karen Trant, of Dartmouth, was sentenced at Plymouth Crown Court after pleading guilty to dishonestly claiming benefits over a 13-year period.

Between August 1999 and April 2013, Karen Trant falsely claimed housing benefit, council tax benefit, employment support allowance, income support and disability allowance.

Despite claims that she needed continual supervision, could not walk outdoors in unfamiliar routes without guidance or supervision and being stressed by crowded places, she holidayed in Goa, India, paid for cosmetic surgery and enjoyed horse-riding and socialising in crowds.

After several holidays to this idyllic part of India, Karen Trant bought an apartment at the Highland Beach Resort in Candolim in 2004, which extended her stays by up to five months. Back in the UK, her false benefits claims continued.

The court heard that in total, Karen Trant falsely claimed £32,315.94 in Income Support, £8,134.15 in Employment Support Allowance, £29,807.40 in Disability Living Allowance and £64,478.51 in Housing & Council Tax Benefit.

Claire Busby, a lawyer with the CPS Specialist Fraud Division, said: “Karen Trant failed to notify authorities of cash from her divorce settlement in 1999, that she frequently holidayed in Goa and that, in 2004, she had bought an apartment there. Had she done so, she would not have been entitled to the benefits she claimed.

“The Karen Trant seen confidently riding a horse in the photographs seems a world away from the highly-dependent and anxiety-ridden individual she purported to be to justify her welfare benefits claims.

“This façade was completely undermined by her extravagant lifestyle, involving repeated lengthy trips to Goa and cosmetic surgery.

“The benefits system exists to support the most vulnerable in our society and Karen Trant had no entitlement to these benefits. She tried to conceal her wrongdoing, but was brought before the criminal courts and convicted by the jury.”

 

Charges:

Karen Trant pleaded guilty to three counts of dishonest representation for obtaining benefit, contrary to section 111A(1)(A) of the Social Security Administration Act 1992.

Ex-MEP Nicole Sinclaire charged with money laundering and misconduct in public office

Simon Orme, Specialist Lawyer with the CPS Special Crime Division, said: "The CPS has authorised West Midlands Police to charge Ms Nicole Sinclaire, former MEP for the West Midlands, with the offences of money laundering and misconduct in public office.

"It is alleged that between October 2009 and July 2010, whilst serving as an MEP, Ms Sinclaire used funds paid into her bank account by the European Parliament in respect of false travelling expenses claims.

"Ms Sinclaire has also been charged with Misconduct in a Public Office with regard to her actions.

"The 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 that a prosecution is in the public interest.

"Ms Sinclaire will appear before Birmingham Magistrates' Court on 17 September.

"Criminal proceedings have now commenced and Ms Sinclaire has the right to a fair trial. It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings."

 

Charges

Ms Nicole Sinclaire has been charged with the following: 

- Money Laundering, contrary to Sections 327 or 329 of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002

- Misconduct in Public Office, contrary to Common Law