POL00044810
POL00044810
Staff in Confidence
Internal memo
To: Andy Hayward
Senior Security Manager
From: — Graham Ward
Financial Investigator
Fraud Strand
Date: 17" December 2009
SUBJECT: Financial Investigation case closure: Ref: POLTD/0809/0126
Astwood Bank Post Office® - Julian WILSON
The loss to Post Office® Ltd in this case was £27,811.28 which related to an audit shortage identified on the
11" September 2008 at Astwood Bank Branch Post Office® (346/246). During PACE interviews with Post
Office® Ltd Investigators, Mr Wilson denied theft but made admissions to falsifying the office accounts over a 5
year period.
A Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) 2002 Financial Investigation was initiated with a restraint order against the
suspects identified assets being obtained on the 17"” December 2008 at Croydon Crown Court.
A Post Office® prosecution ensued and on the 15"" June 2009 at Worcester Crown Court, the defendant pleaded
guilty to 2 Fraud Act charges. The case was adjourned for sentencing to the 3™ August 2009, where on that
date; the defendant was sentenced to 200 hours Community Service. A POCA 2002 confiscation timetable was
also set at this time.
On the 14" December 2009 at Hereford Crown Court, the POCA 2002 confiscation investigation was concluded
and a confiscation order was obtained, details as follows;
© The defendants ‘Benefit from Crime’ figure was agreed at £28,434.95 (identified loss + the amount of
£622.97 from the RPI increase)
« The Available amount was agreed at - ‘not less than’ £40,497.00
¢ A Confiscation Order was set for the amount of £28,434.95 with full amount awarded to Post Office®
Ltd as compensation; to be paid within 6 months or a default sentence of 12 months imprisonment will
be imposed.
Prosecution costs of £3,500.00 were also awarded to be paid by the 3“? August 2009.
The Confiscation order will be enforced by the Birmingham RART (Regional Asset Recovery Team), who in due
course will pay the sum of £28,434.95 via BACS transfer to the Post Office® Investigation Team Recovery
Account, following which a discharge of the Restraint Order will be obtained.
ery on this case is therefore expected in due course.
Graham Ward
Accr vestigator ~ Post Office Ltd Security Team
ary Thomas, Jackie Whitham - Agent Debt Team
Post Office Ltd
Registered in England Number: 2154540
Registered Office: 148 Old Street, London EC1V 9H.
The Post Office and the Post Office symbol are registered trade marks of Post Office Ltd in the UK and other countries