Latest news with #Blackburn
Daily Mail
4 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Ponzi scheme gang who 'hounded' elderly victims out of £6million are jailed for 18 years
Six members of a ponzi scheme gang who 'hounded' elderly victims out of £6million have been jailed for 18 years. David Clarkson, 70, of Livesey Branch Road, Blackburn, masterminded the operation, admitting conspiracy to defraud, money laundering and perverting the course of justice. He was jailed for seven and a half years on Tuesday at Southwark Crown Court. The remaining defendants were all found guilty in March after a six-month trial and were also sentenced on Tuesday. Elderly victims aged between 60 and 90 were the main target of the gang with high-pressure sales tactics to push them into handing over money - one later commented she was 'hounded' into parting with her savings. The gang befriended some of the individuals they scammed, forged documents and impersonated insurance brokers in order to steal cash. The largest individual loss was £250,000. Lillian Milner, 57, of Sliven Clod Road, Rossendale, Lancashire, was jailed for five years and six months for conspiracy to defraud and money laundering, while her husband Graham Milner, 55, of the same address, received three years and six months for money laundering. Another two men were jailed for conspiracy to defraud and money laundering - Mark Fallon, 60, of Haslingden Old Road, Rossendale, Lancashire, was sentenced to four years and six months; and Anthony Flaton, 39, of Beauclerk Green, Winchfield, Hampshire, was jailed for five years. David Clarkson's son Paul Clarkson, 46, of Shawbridge Street, Clitheroe, Lancashire, was sentenced to 20 months' imprisonment, suspended for two years, and ordered to carry out 180 hours of unpaid work, for money laundering. City of London Police and bank staff managed to recover more than £2million of the stolen money. One victim said in his impact statement: 'I have found it increasingly harder to face the day and rarely have a good night's sleep with difficulty finding the motivation to get on with the daily tasks at hand. 'Dealing with this case has been very overwhelming and mentally consuming, often leaving me feeling very depressed with a general loss of faith in humanity.' Lillian Milner bought herself a Porsche while many unsuspecting elderly victims lost their life savings. Detective Constable Jay Smith from City of London Police said: 'These fraudsters stole life savings from hundreds, abusing their trusted positions out of pure greed. 'Clarkson, in particular, showed no remorse - cloning a regulated insurer and impersonating the broker to trick victims and later forging medical documents to avoid trial. 'Faced with overwhelming evidence, he eventually pleaded guilty. 'I thank the victims and their families for their strength and co-operation, and we remember those who sadly passed during the process. I hope this result brings some comfort. 'We remain committed to pursuing those who abuse trust and exploit the vulnerable. Let this case be a warning: you will be found, prosecuted and convicted.' The police investigation was launched when suspicious payments were made by a company called Sable Intl Ltd to a newly formed law firm in August 2016. Sable claimed to invest in property, and opened a £3.5 million bond scheme offering fake returns of 7 per cent to lure in victims. Police found the trio behind the company, David Clarkson, Lillian Milner and Flaton, had links to an earlier investment scheme called Equitable Law Capital (ELC). In reality, none of the investments was genuine, with the trio using internet advertising, cold calling and company brochures to convince victims. Graham Milner and Paul Clarkson were appointed group directors of ELC when they had no relevant experience, and became involved in money laundering. A front company based in the Seychelles and Switzerland was used to disguise the fact the money had come from crime. Lillian Milner and Fallon, who was a solicitor, also used a newly set up law firm to launder money, with commission payments to Flaton going through an account in Mauritius. Both ELC and Sable went into administration and voluntary liquidation at the end of 2016, owing a total of more than £4 million.
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Gang jailed for £6m investment scam that targeted more than 150 victims
Six people behind a £6 million investment scam that targeted more than 150 victims have been jailed. Mastermind David Clarkson, 70, of Livesey Branch Road, Blackburn, was sentenced to seven and a half years at Southwark Crown Court on Tuesday having admitted conspiracy to defraud, money laundering and perverting the course of justice at an earlier hearing. The remaining defendants were all found guilty in March after a six-month trial and were also sentenced on Tuesday. The gang targeted mainly elderly victims aged between 60 and 90 with high-pressure sales tactics to push them into handing over money – one said she was 'hounded' into parting with her savings. They befriended some of the people they scammed, forged documents and impersonated insurance brokers in order to steal cash. The largest individual loss was £250,000. Lillian Milner, 57, of Sliven Clod Road, Rossendale, Lancashire, was jailed for five years and six months for conspiracy to defraud and money laundering, while her husband Graham Milner, 55, of the same address, received three years and six months for money laundering. Another two men were jailed for conspiracy to defraud and money laundering – Mark Fallon, 60, of Haslingden Old Road, Rossendale, Lancashire, was sentenced to four years and six months; and Anthony Flaton, 39, of Beauclerk Green, Winchfield, Hampshire, was jailed for five years. David Clarkson's son Paul Clarkson, 46, of Shawbridge Street, Clitheroe, Lancashire, was sentenced to 20 months' imprisonment, suspended for two years, and ordered to carry out 180 hours of unpaid work, for money laundering. City of London Police and bank staff managed to recover more than £2 million of the stolen money. One victim said in his impact statement: 'I have found it increasingly harder to face the day and rarely have a good night's sleep with difficulty finding the motivation to get on with the daily tasks at hand. 'Dealing with this case has been very overwhelming and mentally consuming, often leaving me feeling very depressed with a general loss of faith in humanity.' Lillian Milner bought herself a Porsche while many unsuspecting elderly victims lost their life savings. Detective Constable Jay Smith from City of London Police said: 'These fraudsters stole life savings from hundreds, abusing their trusted positions out of pure greed. 'Clarkson, in particular, showed no remorse – cloning a regulated insurer and impersonating the broker to trick victims and later forging medical documents to avoid trial. 'Faced with overwhelming evidence, he eventually pleaded guilty. 'I thank the victims and their families for their strength and co-operation, and we remember those who sadly passed during the process. I hope this result brings some comfort. 'We remain committed to pursuing those who abuse trust and exploit the vulnerable. Let this case be a warning: you will be found, prosecuted and convicted.' The police investigation was launched when suspicious payments were made by a company called Sable Intl Ltd to a newly formed law firm in August 2016. Sable claimed to invest in property, and opened a £3.5 million bond scheme offering fake returns of 7% to lure in victims. Police found that the trio behind the company, David Clarkson, Lillian Milner and Flaton, had links to an earlier investment scheme called Equitable Law Capital (ELC). In reality, none of the investments was genuine, with the trio using internet advertising, cold calling and company brochures to convince victims. Graham Milner and Paul Clarkson were appointed group directors of ELC when they had no relevant experience, and became involved in money laundering. A front company based in the Seychelles and Switzerland was used to disguise the fact the money had come from crime. Lillian Milner and Fallon, who was a solicitor, also used a newly set up law firm to launder money, with commission payments to Flaton going through an account in Mauritius. Both ELC and Sable went into administration and voluntary liquidation at the end of 2016, owing a total of more than £4 million.
The Independent
7 hours ago
- Business
- The Independent
Gang jailed for £6m investment scam that targeted more than 150 victims
Six people behind a £6 million investment scam that targeted more than 150 victims have been jailed. Mastermind David Clarkson, 70, of Livesey Branch Road, Blackburn, was sentenced to seven and a half years at Southwark Crown Court on Tuesday having admitted conspiracy to defraud, money laundering and perverting the course of justice at an earlier hearing. The remaining defendants were all found guilty in March after a six-month trial and were also sentenced on Tuesday. The gang targeted mainly elderly victims aged between 60 and 90 with high-pressure sales tactics to push them into handing over money – one said she was 'hounded' into parting with her savings. They befriended some of the people they scammed, forged documents and impersonated insurance brokers in order to steal cash. The largest individual loss was £250,000. Lillian Milner, 57, of Sliven Clod Road, Rossendale, Lancashire, was jailed for five years and six months for conspiracy to defraud and money laundering, while her husband Graham Milner, 55, of the same address, received three years and six months for money laundering. Another two men were jailed for conspiracy to defraud and money laundering – Mark Fallon, 60, of Haslingden Old Road, Rossendale, Lancashire, was sentenced to four years and six months; and Anthony Flaton, 39, of Beauclerk Green, Winchfield, Hampshire, was jailed for five years. David Clarkson's son Paul Clarkson, 46, of Shawbridge Street, Clitheroe, Lancashire, was sentenced to 20 months' imprisonment, suspended for two years, and ordered to carry out 180 hours of unpaid work, for money laundering. City of London Police and bank staff managed to recover more than £2 million of the stolen money. One victim said in his impact statement: 'I have found it increasingly harder to face the day and rarely have a good night's sleep with difficulty finding the motivation to get on with the daily tasks at hand. 'Dealing with this case has been very overwhelming and mentally consuming, often leaving me feeling very depressed with a general loss of faith in humanity.' Lillian Milner bought herself a Porsche while many unsuspecting elderly victims lost their life savings. Detective Constable Jay Smith from City of London Police said: 'These fraudsters stole life savings from hundreds, abusing their trusted positions out of pure greed. 'Clarkson, in particular, showed no remorse – cloning a regulated insurer and impersonating the broker to trick victims and later forging medical documents to avoid trial. 'Faced with overwhelming evidence, he eventually pleaded guilty. 'I thank the victims and their families for their strength and co-operation, and we remember those who sadly passed during the process. I hope this result brings some comfort. 'We remain committed to pursuing those who abuse trust and exploit the vulnerable. Let this case be a warning: you will be found, prosecuted and convicted.' The police investigation was launched when suspicious payments were made by a company called Sable Intl Ltd to a newly formed law firm in August 2016. Sable claimed to invest in property, and opened a £3.5 million bond scheme offering fake returns of 7% to lure in victims. Police found that the trio behind the company, David Clarkson, Lillian Milner and Flaton, had links to an earlier investment scheme called Equitable Law Capital (ELC). In reality, none of the investments was genuine, with the trio using internet advertising, cold calling and company brochures to convince victims. Graham Milner and Paul Clarkson were appointed group directors of ELC when they had no relevant experience, and became involved in money laundering. A front company based in the Seychelles and Switzerland was used to disguise the fact the money had come from crime. Lillian Milner and Fallon, who was a solicitor, also used a newly set up law firm to launder money, with commission payments to Flaton going through an account in Mauritius. Both ELC and Sable went into administration and voluntary liquidation at the end of 2016, owing a total of more than £4 million.
BBC News
7 hours ago
- Business
- BBC News
Lancashire con artists stole £6m from elderly investors
Six people have been jailed following a £6m investment scam that targeted more than 150 victims, mostly elderly. Ringleader David Clarkson, 70, of Livesey Branch Road, Blackburn, was sentenced to seven and a half years at Southwark Crown Court in London on Tuesday, after admitting fraud, money laundering and perverting the course of justice at an earlier remaining five perpetrators, who were convicted earlier this year, in March, after a six-month trial, were also sentenced on gang targeted victims aged between 60 and 90, using high-pressure sales tactics to persuade them to hand over their money, with one victim saying she was "hounded" into parting with her savings. The scammers befriended some of the victims, forged documents and impersonated insurance brokers in order to appropriate the largest individual loss was £250, Milner, 57, of Sliven Clod Road, Rossendale, in Lancashire, was jailed for five years and six months for fraud and money laundering, while her husband Graham Milner, 55, of the same address, received three years and six months for money laundering.A further two members of the gang were jailed for fraud and money laundering: Mark Fallon, 60, of Haslingden Old Road, Rossendale, in Lancashire, was sentenced to four years and six months, and Anthony Flaton, 39, of Beauclerk Green, Winchfield, in Hampshire, received five Clarkson's son, Paul, 46, of Shawbridge Street, Clitheroe, in Lancashire, received a 20-months suspended sentence for money laundering, and was ordered to carry out 180 hours of unpaid work. 'Pure greed' City of London Police and bank staff recovered more than £2m of the unsuspecting elderly victims lost their life his impact statement, one victim said he found it "increasingly hard to face the day and rarely had a good night's sleep", adding the experience had left him "very depressed - with a general loss of faith in humanity".Det Con Jay Smith, of City of London Police, said: "These fraudsters stole life savings from hundreds, abusing their trusted positions, out of pure greed.""I thank the victims and their families for their strength and co-operation, and we remember those who sadly passed during the process. I hope this result brings some comfort."We remain committed to pursuing those who abuse trust and exploit the vulnerable. Let this case be a warning: you will be found, prosecuted and convicted." The police investigation was launched after suspicious payments were made by a company called Sable Intl Ltd to a newly-formed law firm in August company Sable claimed to invest in property, and opened a £3.5m bond scheme, offering fake returns of 7%, to encourage victims to part with their the investments were bogus, with the trio using internet advertising, cold-calling and company brochures to convince victims of the company's trio behind the company - David Clarkson, Lillian Milner and Flaton - had links to an earlier investment scheme called Equitable Law Capital (ELC).Graham Milner and Paul Clarkson were appointed group directors of ELC, despite having no relevant experience, and became involved in money laundering.A front company based in the Seychelles and Switzerland was used to disguise the fact the money had been obtained Milner and Fallon, a solicitor, also used a newly-established law firm to launder money, with commission payments to Flaton going through an account in ELC and Sable went into administration and voluntary liquidation at the end of 2016, owing a total of more than £4 million. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
The Sun
8 hours ago
- Automotive
- The Sun
Popular garage for sale after shock closure – as major firm desperately tries to balance the books
A POPULAR garage has been listed for sale after its shock closure earlier this year - as a major firm desperately attempts to balance the books. ATS Euromaster ran the mechanic shop in Blackburn, but the company was forced to reduce its network of garages from 238 to 152 - as well as lay off staff. 2 2 Back in February, it was revealed that ATS Euromaster - a well established tyre service - had earmarked 86 service centres for possible closure. Just weeks later, all 86 service centres ceased trading and 248 employees were made redundant. The business, which was founded in 1965 and is owned by Michelin, claimed overcapacity, increased costs and sluggish growth as reasons for the closures. One of those 86 centres was the garage in Blackburn, based in Pendle Street. According to the Lancashire Telegraph, the garage has been listed for sale at a guide price of £700,000. The listing said: 'The property comprises a detached steel-framed industrial unit, configured as a seven-bay fitting workshop with ancillary storage, reception, office, staff and customer WCs with tyre storage above the offices. 'Externally, the unit has 12 marked car parking spaces with an additional two disabled spaces. 'The property is located on Pendle Street, which has visibility from Copy Nook (A678), which runs parallel and leads towards Blackburn town centre in the west and east towards J6 of the M65, one mile to the east. 'The site is in a mixed commercial/residential area approximately one mile east of Blackburn town centre.' Other sites in East Lancashire, located in Accrington and Burnley, remain open. Iconic 80s hatchback left to gather dust in a garage for two decades is uncovered... and is worth a lucrative sum ATS Euromaster's latest accounts for the year until December 2023 reported losses of £13.9 million, compared to a loss of £20.6 million in 2022. But their overall turnover for 2023 sat at £165.5million compared to £147.1million in 2022. Back in March, Sun Motors revealed outlets across the country were shutting their doors for good, with confirmed closures in Devon and Cornwall at centres in Plymouth, Exeter and Newton Abbot. Other closures across the UK have also been reported in Brecon, Macclesfield and Carlisle, as well as in Horsham, Worthing, Crawley, Poole and Lymington. What's more, Google lists retailers in Dartford and Bexleyheath as permanently closed, too. In a statement to Sun Motors at the time, a spokesperson for ATS said: "In a UK automotive aftermarket context of overcapacity, increasing costs and sluggish activity and growth, ATS Euromaster intends to review its current operating model and has put in place a proposal to close some non profitable service centres. "Employees impacted by this proposal are under consultation. "In the meantime, our priority is to provide them with the best level of support as possible. "This decision will not impact the high quality of services that we offer to our customers. "We intend that it enables us to concentrate our efforts on strategic levels for sustainable development, including services around ATS mobile capabilities and the shaping of a franchise model already successfully developed in several countries."
