Crime Solicitors

A gang of five who fraudulently sold green belt agricultural land in Warwickshire as property investments has been sentenced to a total of 29 years’ imprisonment, after conning more than 250 victims out of money.

Timothy Wren and Kevin Hilton had already been disqualified by the Financial Services Authority (FSA) when the fraud took place.

They worked with others between August 2005 and 2012 to fraudulently obtain significant sums of money.

Wren – who controlled the wide-reaching fraud – was convicted of conspiracy to defraud, along with John “Jack” Chandler, Jeanette Chandler, Kevin Hilton and Alfred Arthur.

The land banking fraud deceived 259 victims that their investments in land in Redditch, Warwickshire, would return profit, after its sale to residential property developers. However, the land sold as investments was part of the green belt reserved for agricultural use.

The defendants lied that they were “known developers” interested in the land, that planning permission was in place and development was under consideration by the council – whereas none of these facts was true.

A woman who invested in the land lost her entire life savings, while another investor – who had been left blind after an assault – lost the money he was paid as compensation by investing in the fraud.

Timothy Wren, John Chandler, Jeanette Chandler, Kevin Hilton and Alfred Arthur were charged with and convicted of conspiracy to defraud, contrary to common law.

Timothy Wren received eight years' imprisonment, John Chandler received seven years, Kevin Hilton received six years and Jeanette Chandler and Alfred Arthur each received four years’ imprisonment.

After sentencing, Specialist Fraud Prosecutor, Crown Prosecution Service, Geoff Southcote-Want, said:

“Land banking fraud has the potential to ruin lives, damaging the future of its victims by draining their life savings.

“The victims' money – a total of £3.5 million – was spent by the offenders on purchases, including Ferrari and Maserati cars costing £115k and £90k each.

“The Crown Prosecution Service is committed to bringing fraudsters such as these to justice.

“We are now pursuing the confiscation of the assets in this case under the Proceeds of Crime Act.”

Duncan Lewis Fraud Lawyers

Duncan Lewis fraud lawyers can advise at any stage of a charge involving fraud, including financial fraud, company fraud, investment fraud, benefit fraud, ID theft and white collar crime.

There are Duncan Lewis offices nationwide and a specialist fraud lawyer can advise at the start of an investigation and before charges are brought.

Duncan Lewis can also liase with investing agencies such as SFO, FCA, BIS, Insolvency Service, DWP, HMRC and City of London Police, as well as advising on Confiscation Orders under the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA).

For expert legal advice on all fraud charges, call Duncan Lewis fraud solicitors on 0333 772 0409.

For 24/7 help at a police station, call the Duncan Lewis Solicitors 24-Hour Emergency Helpline on 0333 772 0607.