Lotus Man Jailed For £80,000 Fraud

[Mark H]

http://new.edp24.co.uk/content/news/story....3A06%3A39%3A873

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lotus man jailed for £80,000 fraud

 

BEN KENDALL

 

21 October 2005 07:30

 

A senior manager who stole more than £80,000 from Lotus cars in an elaborate scam was yesterday jailed for two years.

 

Michael Fowler, 51, began the four-year fraud, which involved placing orders with a fictitious company, in 2001, when he became fabrication department manager - based in Norwich - on £45,000 a year

 

At Norwich Crown Court Fowler of Keeling Way, Attleborough, pleaded guilty to 17 counts of obtaining money by deception, the frauds totalling £81,902.

 

The court heard Fowler has previously served two nine-month jail sentences for similar offences.

 

Defence solicitor Jonathan Goodman said: "He finally accepts he's a cheat and if there's an opportunity to be exploited he will exploit it. He's prepared to face up to that and, because of the hardship this has caused to himself and his family, do something about it. He has been receiving counselling for more than a year."

 

Prosecutor Stephen Spence called the crimes "relatively sophisticated and clearly pre-planned". Fowler placed false orders with a company called T and M Automation and invoiced the company.

 

Mr Goodman said the crimes started when an order placed with T and M, which Fowler insisted was a genuine company, was withdrawn by Lotus. Aggrieved, Fowler continued to invoice his employer and, when this invoice was paid, spotted the chance to cash-in. When the company became suspicious in 2004 he presented a forged delivery note which was later passed to police.

 

Mr Goodman said although his assets are frozen, Fowler has a £25-£30,000 bank account and equity in property which could be used to repay Lotus. The court will decide later what action to take under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

 

After the case, a Lotus spokesman said it quickly identified discrepancies and undertook an investiagtion. Fowler was suspended and dismissed pending police inquiries.

[Steve J]

Follow the Chapman principles and lighten his assetts by £80k plus interest.