b
Mr Rob G Wilson Ourref TL POSO01.268
Head of Criminal Law
Criminal Law Division
Legal Services Your ref CRM 265934
3" Floor JMcF RGWidmt
6a Eccleston Street
London
SWIW OLT 30 June 2011
Dear Mr Wilson
Regina v Alison Loraine Hall
Leeds Crown Court - Plea and Case Management Hearing - 30 June
2001
1 write in relation to the above matter and further to your discussions with
prosecuting Counsel Mr Adrian Chaplin.
Following discussions Mr Chaplin had with Defence Counsel Neil Clarke, it
was indicated that the Defendant Alison Hall would plead Not Guilty to Count
1 but Guilty to Count 2 Fraud. ‘That plea would be entered on the basis that
she was fully aware of her contractual obligations to pay any shortfall. She
had not stolen money but in order to delay the inevitably she had falsely
reported the figures concerning cash on hand and the loss in this matter was
£14,842.37. This was di ed with the investigator Chris Knight who
contirmed a plea to Count 2 on that basis would be acceptable. One point that
was made clear was the Prosecution would not accept any criticism or blame
concerning the Horizon System. In fairness, that did not appear to form any
part of the Defendant’s case.
‘The Judge, His Honour Judge Burn following submissions from the Defence
agreed to stand the case down until after lunch to allow the Probation to
prepare a stand down Pre Sentence Report to make recommendations for a
community based penalty. The case was adjourned until 2:00 p.m.
Mr Chaplin had opened the case in the morning session and simply set out the
Crown’s position concerning Proceeds of Crime and compensation before the
Judge moved to sentence. Further an application for costs was made in an
amount not exceeding £1,800.00.
Following submissions made directly to the Judge by the Probation Service
and then by Defence Counsel. Ms Hall who was a lady of no previous
convictions was sentenced to 120 hours unpaid work. The Judge not
surprisingly rejected Probation’s suggestion that a conditional disch
an appropriate disposal.
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Mr Rob G Wilson
30 June 2011
Page 2
The Judge found that the benefit figure and the available amount was set at
£14,842.37. A compensation order was made by way of confiscation in the
sum of £14,842,37, That amount must be paid within 12 months to Royal
Mail Group Ltd. The term in default of payment is a minimum sentence of 6
months imprisonment.
The Judge made an Order for costs in the sum of £1,000.00 which also must
be paid within 12 months.
‘The Judge ordered that Count I should lie on the file in the usual terms.
This brings the case of Alison Hall to a conclusion. { will be in touch in the
near future concerning our costs. I take this opportunity to thank you for your
instructions in this matter.
Yours sincerely
Tracey J Langan
O’GARRAS
CC: Chris Knight - Invest
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