Solicitor’s Mortgage Fraud

A former criminal defence solicitor has been jailed for 2 years for playing a part in a £1.3 million mortgage fraud in east London. 35-year-old Elena Quinlivan planned to build a rented property empire, using forged identity documents, bank statements and payslips. She obtained mortgages on 6 properties and rented them out for the profit. Quinlivan was sentenced to repay £108,405 within 12 months and 2 years imprisonment at Southwark Crown Court. HS&Co have dealt with many fraud cases, including successfully defending solicitors on mortgage fraud matters. In Your Defence.

Criminals Court Out

Criminals could soon be avoiding court for offences such as minor assault, theft and fraud and escape prosecution. It has been named ‘the biggest shake-up of charging guidelines for 20 years.’ No further action will be taken by the prosecution if they do not believe it is “proportionate” to take them to court. Deciding whether to charge a defendant will depend on cost and the length of a likely trial also. Prosecutors will weigh such issues with the likely sentence the criminal would get. HS&Co / M23Law often make successful submissions to the Crown in order to keep cases away from the court proceedings stage. It is the second time in 3 years Keir Starmer QC has suggested to bring “common sense” to prosecutions. HS&Co stress how important it is to have our representation at the investigation stage, in order to hopefully avoid court proceedings. All our lawyers at HS&Co / M23Law have attended a lecture at Sussex University by Keir Starmer QC.

Penteado the Pretender

The presenter from Rogue Traders’ Dan Penteado has been found guilty of benefit fraud. Dan claimed over £24,000 while he has been working for the BBC. He had not declared his earnings from the BBC while claiming housing and council tax benefits. Dan was recognised from the TV by a council housing benefit officer who then reported him. He was jailed for 12 weeks for his fraudulent endeavours. HS&Co has dealt with many benefit fraud cases in the past.

Billionaires in Corruption Scandal

Thomas and Raymond Kwok have been charged with bribery-related offences in a high-profile corruption scandal. The two billionaire property developers allegedly gave bribes for information on land sales between 2005 and 2007. HS&Co regularly defend in fraud and dishonesty cases. In Your Defence.

A Life of Crime

A 'career burglar' named Simon Berkowitz, 65, was jailed for 5 and a half years after 50 years of doing burglaries and 250 convictions. He stole £30,000 targeting houses in affluent areas in the New Forest in Hampshire. Berkowitz first appeared at Worthing Juvenile (now youth) Court in 1961, aged 14, on a charge of larceny and was given a two-year probation order and ordered to pay 38p in costs. Simon admitted to 5 burglaries, 1 count of going equipped to steal and 2 counts of fraud. Police say this was only the 'tip of the iceberg. He was believed to have committed thousands of thefts over the years. The Queen is now looking after his retirement.