Miss EJ applied for a government bounce back loan during the COVID pandemic. She falsely maintained that she had a limited company with a £200,000 + turnover and subsequently claimed a full bounce back loan from the government. When it came time to pay the loan back EJ declared herself bankrupt to avoid having to repay the loan. The official receivers became suspicious during the bankruptcy proceedings and contacted the Police. 

The Police conducted an investigation and soon irrefutable evidence of the fraud came to light. Miss EJ was prosecuted for fraud by false representation contrary to s2 of the Fraud Act 2006 .

She instructed Quentin Hunt, a specialist criminal defence barrister to conduct a damage limitation exercise on her behalf. 

Quentin reviewed the case against EJ, looking for any loopholes or technical defences, but in due course it became clear that liability would have to be admitted and EJ entered a guilty plea at the earliest opportunity to maximise credit for guilty plea. 

Quentin then worked closely with his client to put together an impressive mitigation bundle which included evidence of positive good character, medical evidence, character references and other materials designed to show EJ in a good light. 

The matter came before the Isleworth Crown Court for sentence, historically the Courts have been very hard on any fraud surrounding government COVID schemes and immediate custody was a real risk. Quentin entered impassioned mitigation in respect of EJ, her personal circumstances, character, and the circumstances in which she came to be involved in the criminality. The judge agreed with Quentin’s submissions and passed a suspended sentence of imprisonment upon Quentin’s client which meant that she did not go to prison. EJ was delighted. 

If you find yourself facing criminal proceedings, you may wish to have a legal representative who will fight for you every step of the way. Quentin Hunt is a criminal defence barrister of over 25 years’ experience who prides himself on effective representation and a personal service towards his clients.

Quentin works both through solicitors and directly with members of the public and you can contact Quentin for a free, no obligation discussion about your case.