Bookkeeper accused of fraud acquitted at close of prosecution case

A bookkeeper accused of being complicit in a fraud valued at £1.8 million was acquitted on direction of the trial judge at Basildon Crown Court.

LR stood trial along with three co-defendants, all three partners of an Essex-based conveyancing firm. It was alleged that between 2011 and 2013, they took part in a fraud involving the late or non-payment of Stamp Duty Land Tax.

Following extensive cross-examination of prosecution witnesses, the trial judge allowed a submission of no case to answer. He directed the jury to return not guilty verdicts in the case of LR and the fourth defendant. Two defendants remain in the trial.

LR was represented by Farrhat Arshad, leading Omran Belhadi. They were instructed by Robert Wong of JD Spicer Zeb.