Six charged following apprenticeship scheme investigation
4 May, 2016 | News Releases
Six men appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court today, charged in connection with a Serious Fraud Office investigation into the activity of Luis Michael Training Ltd, a company purporting to provide young people with football-based apprenticeship schemes.
Mark Aizlewood [56, from Aberdare, Wales], Christopher Paul Martin [51, from Newbury, England], Keith Anthony Williams [43, from Anglesey, Wales], Paul Anthony Sugrue [55, from Cardiff, Wales], Steven Paul Gooding [52, from Bridgwater, England] and Jack William Harper [29, from Southport, England] are charged with offences ranging from conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation, to fraud and using a false instrument.
It is alleged Luis Michael Training Ltd claimed payments from several Further Education Colleges for training and education services they did not, in fact, provide.
Mark Aizlewood, Paul Anthony Sugrue, Christopher Paul Martin and Keith Anthony Williams were directors and shareholders of Luis Michael Training Ltd. Steven Paul Gooding and Jack William Harper are said to have been employed as recruiters of learners for this company.
It is alleged that a separate but linked attempt to defraud a Further Education college was committed by Jack William Harper, through a company called FootballQualifications.com.
The alleged conduct took place between 2009 and 2011.
The six defendants will make their next appearance at Southwark Crown Court on 1 June 2016.
Notes to Editors:
1) Both Luis Michael Training Ltd and FootballQualifications.com have ceased operating.
2) The case was accepted for investigation in September 2011 following a referral from Gwent Police. For further information on the opening of the investigation, click here.
3) The Serious Fraud Office is represented by Alexandra Healy QC and Timothy Godfrey.
4) The exact charges are as follows:
|
Charge |
Offences |
Individuals |
|
1 |
Conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation, contrary to section 1(1) of the Criminal Law Act 1977. |
Mark Aizlewood, Christopher Paul Martin, Keith Anthony Williams and Paul Anthony Sugrue |
|
2 |
Conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation, Contrary to section 1(1) of the Criminal Law Act 1977 |
Mark Aizlewood, Christopher Paul Martin, Keith Anthony Williams and Paul Anthony Sugrue, Steven Paul Gooding and Jack William Harper |
|
3 |
Fraud, contrary to section 1 of the Fraud Act 2006.
|
Jack William Harper |
|
4 |
Using a false instrument, contrary to section 3 of the Forgery and Counterfeiting Act 1981.
|
Jack William Harper |