Andrew Evans and Sophia Kerridge were instructed by the CPS East of England Complex Casework Unit to prosecute Richard Lester for running a Ponzi scheme which targeted hundreds of people across the world who thought they were investing in discounted cruise holidays.
Following a two-month trial at Chelmsford Crown Court, the jury unanimously convicted Richard Lester of fraudulent trading and concealing criminal property.
The fraud itself was a complex Ponzi or pyramid scheme which affected over 180 victims from across the world. Witnesses gave evidence during the trial in person and via video link from the United States, Canada, Australia as well as from various parts of the UK about how they had spent their savings on Cruise Vouchers or Cruise Miles which they later redeemed for cruises, only to have their bookings cancelled without warning, as the Ponzi scheme started to collapse.
The Prosecution also relied upon expert forensic accounting evidence to identify how customers’ monies had been laundered and applied by Lester to finance his lavish lifestyle, gambling and other business interests.
He was sentenced to 5 years in prison, and was disqualified from being a company director for 9 years.
The case has received National Press attention, to read more about the case in the press, please click here for the BBC article, here for the Daily Mail and here for the Daily Telegraph.
Andrew Evans is an experienced criminal practitioner, specialising in the prosecution of serious and complex fraud. He is Grade 4 prosecutor, and is often instructed as leading counsel. He has appeared on behalf of various prosecution agencies, including the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) Central Fraud Group, CPS Special Casework Unit, HM Revenue & Customs, the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
Sophia Kerridge is a barrister practising in all areas of criminal and regulatory law. Sophia has experience of prosecuting and defending in criminal fraud and financial crime cases. Sophia is on the CPS Specialist Advocates Panel for Fraud (Grade 2). She has experience of professional discipline and regulatory cases and a growing practice in extradition.
