Robin Weyell, Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “The Crown Prosecution Service has authorised Humberside Police to charge Robert Bush, 47, of East Yorkshire, with 64 offences including fraud, fraudulent trading, theft, and preventing a lawful and decent burial, following an investigation into Legacy Independent Funeral Directors in Hull.

“Our thoughts and sympathies remain with the families who have been affected during this difficult time.

Two individuals have been sentenced today (11 April 2025) for breaches of Russian linked financial sanctions for the first time ever in the United Kingdom.

Dmitrii Ovsyannikov, 48, and Alexei Ovsyannikov (AO), 47, have been found guilty of eight counts of breaching financial sanctions and two counts of money laundering at Southwark Crown Court and sentenced to 40 months imprisonment and 15 months imprisonment suspended for 15 months respectively.

Both defendants are Russian nationals and hold Russian passports.

Five money launderers have been convicted for exploiting victims through romance fraud for a loss of £3.25 million.

Fawaz Ali, 27, Ebenezer Tackie, 42, Michael Quartey, 28, were found guilty of money laundering related offences today at Guildford Crown Court after a trial.

Earlier Kwabena Edusei, 36, pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to defraud and money laundering, while George Melseaux, 40, pleaded guilty to charges of money laundering and possession of ID documents with intent to misuse for fraudulent purposes.

A man who co-ordinated a multi-million-pound fake medicines operation, including counterfeit versions of the powerful anti-anxiety pill Xanax, has today (Wednesday 27 March 2025) been jailed for eight years.

Brian Pitts – 30 of Bilston – pleaded guilty at a previous hearing to conspiracy to supply Class C controlled drugs; breaching a trade mark for a medication, exporting class C controlled drugs; and laundering the proceeds of crime.

Malcolm McHaffie, Head of the Crown Prosecution Service Special Crime Division, said: “We have authorised Merseyside Police to charge National Crime Agency officer Paul Chowles with 15 offences relating to the alleged theft of 50 Bitcoin, worth nearly £60,000 in 2017, during an investigation into online organised crime.

“Mr Chowles, 42, is due to be charged with 11 offences of concealing, disguising, or converting criminal property, three offences of acquiring, using or possessing converting criminal property and a single count of theft.

A former Co-operative bank director and local councillor was jailed today after previously admitting defrauding a vulnerable friend.

Paul Flowers, 74, abused his power, withdrawing cash and paying for goods and services from a friend’s bank account, before and after she died.

He was jailed for three years at Manchester Crown Court on 27 February 2025.

Jayne Sharp, Senior Crown Prosecutor for CPS North West said: “Paul Flowers appeared to be a pillar of the community as a former Methodist minister, local councillor and bank director.

Robin Weyell, Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor said: “The CPS has reviewed a full file of evidence from the Merseyside Police and has authorised the investigation team to charge 12 people with 12 offences related to bribery and misconduct in public office.