Operation Janitor

Operation Janitor was a large-scale VAT fraud investigated and prosecuted by SOCA. The fraud involved nearly 20 companies and abuse of the zero-rated vat reclaims system for new build properties. The companies were based in a number of cities from Birmingham to Manchester. Nearly 30 people were prosecuted in 4 trials for Conspiracy to Cheat the HMRC. The value of the fraud was put at over £2.6m. Ashmans Solicitors represented MS who was one of the director’s of one of the companies at the heart of the conspiracy set up to defraud the Revenue. MS’s company was one of the first to be set up and was amongst highest in terms of fraudulent activity in the conspiracy.

MS’s company submitted one of the largest numbers of VAT reclaims. The reclaims were supported with fraudulent invoices and followed up with regular calls to HMRC. During the 10 week trial at Birmingham Crown Court in which the Crown relied upon over 23,000 pages of evidence. Ashmans’ through our diligent and thorough consideration of the evidence successfully defended MS by establishing that he had been nothing to do with the conspiracy. After nearly 5 days of deliberating, the jury acquitted MS of the charge of Conspiracy to Cheat HMRC.

R-v-AA & Others Hull Court

The defendant is charged with Conspiracy to Transfer Criminal Property. The defendants in this case are Latvian nationals. The prosecution allege that our client along with a number of other defendants has been involved in a conspiracy to transfer criminal property being valued in tens of thousands of pounds. This case involves substantial mobile phone and computer evidence. Ashmans Solicitors are confident in obtaining a favourable outcome for their client.

UPDATE October 2012 this case settled this month and we managed to agree a careful and limited basis of plea with the prosecution resulting in the defendant obtaining a community order instead of a custodial sentence. This was in stark contrast to other defendants (represented by other solicitors) who received custodial sentences.

R-v-CT Teesside Crown Court

Ashmans secure a unanimous not guilty verdict for a client charged with Conspiracy to Murder.

Our client was one of 7 defendants charged with a conspiracy to murder allegation. This trial lasted approximately two months. Our client vehemently denied the allegations from the outset. The case involved thorough examination and analysis of thousands of pages of prosecution of evidence. Hours of preparation was undertaken to ensure that all potential defence enquires were undertaken and our client’s case was advanced in the most effective and robust manner. The case involved extensive analysis of telephone and cell-site evidence in addition to social media platforms, where alleged interactions may have occurred between the alleged co-conspirators and/or alleged incriminating messages may have been posted. Following careful scrutiny of the relevant material, we were able to advance our client’s defence in the most vigorous manner.

At the conclusion of this complex and high-pressure trial, our client was unanimously acquitted by the jury. He was extremely pleased with our efforts in proving his innocence, thereby allowing him to avoid a mandatory life sentence and to be immediately released from custody to return to his family and resume a normal life.