A former solicitor has been sentenced today (10 December 2024) for defrauding the Legal Services Commission (forerunner of the Legal Aid Agency),and making substantial gain at a significant cost to the public purse.

Phil Shiner, 67, has been sentenced to 2 years imprisonment suspended for 2 years for three counts of fraud at Southwark Crown Court to which he pleaded guilty on 30 September 2024.

A company director has been jailed for his key role in a £3 million money laundering operation.

Ranbir Singh, 46, pleaded guilty to two counts of money laundering and has been sentenced to six years imprisonment. Kuldip Badesha, 46, Singh’s wife, pleaded guilty to one count of misconduct in public office and has been sentenced to 14 months imprisonment suspended. Both defendants were dealt with at Southwark Crown Court.

The HMRC (His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs) investigation uncovered that Singh was a company director to 12 firms, all of which are dormant. 

A former surgeon, who was struck off the UK medical register in 2015, while working at Southampton General Hospital has been convicted today of causing actual bodily harm, child cruelty and administering a prescription only medicine to several young and vulnerable patients for ignoring basic hygiene rules in performing home male circumcisions and showing complete disregard to patient health, safety and comfort.

Three men who defrauded two victims out of their pensions have today been jailed.

Simon Hooper, 50, Martin Kelly, 61, and Ryan Allen, 46, were found guilty of fraud offences following a trial at Wood Green Crown Court. On 4 October 2024, they were sentenced to six years, five years and four and a half years imprisonment respectively.

Hooper and Kelly were also each disqualified from acting as a company director for seven years.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) prosecuted the trio following an investigation by the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit.