CPS News Brief

Former teacher and charity worker jailed for sexual offences

A former teacher and charity worker has today (Thu 30 Mar) been jailed for a string of sex offences spanning almost 30 years.

Colin Gregg, 75, was found guilty after trial of nine counts of indecent assault. The charges relate to offences against four separate victims, spanning around three decades from the 1960s through to the 1990s.  Each of the complainants in the case was under 15 years of age at the time the offences took place.

Today the judge at Newcastle Crown Court sentenced him to 13-and-a-half years in prison.

John Dilworth, from the CPS, said:

“Colin Gregg appeared to be a successful businessman, respected teacher and committed charity worker. But he exploited his position in society to abuse young boys.

“I would like to praise the bravery of his victims whose evidence allowed prosecutors to build a compelling case against Gregg, leading to his conviction. I hope today’s sentence brings them a sense of justice.”

Notes to Editors

·         John Dilworth is Acting Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS North East

·         Colin Gregg is son of the founder of Greggs’ bakery

Doctor receives suspended prison sentence for making false overtime claims

A senior doctor who wrongly claimed almost £24,000 in overtime has been given a suspended prison sentence today (Tue 28 Mar).

Consultant radiologist John Coffey, 53, admitted fraud by false representation part-way through his trial at Preston Crown Court in February 2017.

The court heard how Coffey reviewed hundreds of x-rays during his working day but waited until after 5pm to enter the work on the NHS system, thereby triggering overtime payments.

Today at Preston Crown Court, Coffey was sentenced to 15 months in custody, suspended for two years. He was also ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work and costs of £14,600.

Adam Clarke, from the CPS, said:

“John Coffey abused his position in order to repeatedly claim thousands of pounds of public money he was simply not entitled to.

“Prosecutors worked with investigators to build a strong case and faced with the evidence against him, Coffey pleaded guilty.”

The prosecution followed an investigation by NHS Protect.

Notes to Editors

·         Adam Clarke is a Senior Crown Prosecutor from the CPS Specialist Fraud Division

Money launderer ordered to pay back more than £700,000

A convicted money launderer has been ordered to pay back more than £700,000 after his attempt to have the debt written off was rejected by the Court of Appeal today (27 Mar). 

 

Terry Adams admitted money laundering in 2007 and was ordered to pay back £750,000. He has since paid £391,437.11, leaving £358,562.89 outstanding from the original order. The total owed, including interest, is currently more than £700,000.

 

A Crown Court judge refused to write down the debt in 2014 after Adams claimed that he was unable to afford to pay any more. Adams sought to appeal but the Court of Appeal has rejected his claim that his available assets are worth less than the outstanding amount.

Nick Price, from the CPS, said:

“Criminals will go to great lengths in an attempt to preserve the proceeds of their crimes and Terry Adams is no exception. We have presented our case carefully and thoroughly, and I am pleased that the Court of Appeal has agreed that he is able to pay off this debt.

“Attempting to hide assets and claim poverty is not a new tactic. The CPS are used to dealing with such claims and will deal with them robustly. Depriving criminals of their wealth disrupts organised crime and the CPS works closely will investigators to ensure that we can take back assets from those who look to benefit from crime.” 

Background Information

 

·         Terry Adams pleaded guilty to money laundering in 2007 and a confiscation order was made against him, agreed at £750,000, with a default jail term of 4 years should he fail to pay or make efforts to do so.

 

·         Since the confiscation order came into force £391,437.11 has been paid. 

 

·         A total balance of more than £700,000 remains outstanding. This is subject to interest of 8% p.a. which is accrued daily. 

 

·         Nick Price is the Head of CPS Proceeds of Crime (CPSPOC).