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Updated: 8 years 43 weeks ago

Appeal for Missing Person from Camborne Police are becoming increasingly concer...

Sun, 10/05/2015 - 22:36
Appeal for Missing Person from Camborne

Police are becoming increasingly concerned for the welfare of Andrew Lambert, 58 years old. Andrew was last seen at Treliske Hospital in Truro on 5th May at approximately 2.30pm. Andrew suffers from a condition which causes amnesia so may present as confused. Andrew is 6 foot tall, medium build, with grey hair. He wears glasses, walks with a limp, uses a stick and habitually wears shirts and jeans. He was last seen carrying a sleeping bag. Andrew may also now have a beard. Anyone with any information that may help Police find Andrew please ring 101 and quote ref: 252 07/05/2015.


Crown currency trial Five found guilty (relating to 3 Hayle Based Companies) Fo...

Sun, 10/05/2015 - 15:38
Crown currency trial Five found guilty (relating to 3 Hayle Based Companies)

Four men and one woman have been convicted of fraud following a trial lasting nine weeks at Southwark Crown Court.

All five defendants stood trial in relation to offences of fraudulent trading, false accounting, money laundering and theft.

This followed a 2 year and 9 month police investigation by the Force’s Economic Crime Unit into the failure of three Hayle based companies, namely, Crown Currency Exchange Ltd (CCE), Crown Holdings Ltd (CHL) and Mayfair & Grant Ltd (M&G).

This is the largest fraud investigation ever undertaken by the Devon & Cornwall force.

Susan Benstead aged 70 years from Penzance was found guilty of money laundering.

Edward James aged 75 years from Glastonbury was found guilty of fraudulent trading.

Julian Benstead aged 46 years from Penzance was found guilty of fraudulent trading.

Roderick Schmidt aged 46 years from Penzance was found guilty of fraudulent trading and theft.

Stephen Matthews aged 51 years from Penzance was found guilty of false accounting .

The Judge has adjourned sentencing until Friday 12th June.

Following the verdicts the Senior Investigating officer, Detective Chief Inspector Paul Bean commented.

‘Devon and Cornwall Police welcome the decision of the court today.
‘This has been a lengthy and complicated enquiry into the activities of an Organised Crime Group who have defrauded in excess of 12,000 victims throughout the UK over a 4year period. This group acted together to falsely trade over the internet as legitimate companies whilst in fact were insolvent from December 2006. False accounts were submitted to Companies House and substantial amounts of money stolen from the company accounts to fund lavish lifestyles. The total loss to the victims’ is in excess of £19.5million.

‘The police investigation has been both lengthy and complicated. It has been conducted by a small team of experienced fraud investigators. It has involved the detailed examination of in excess of 1,500 documents, 3000 exhibits, 370 bank accounts and 80 computers. Enquiries have been conducted throughout the UK, in France and Bulgaria.

‘Following these verdicts Devon and Cornwall Police will pursue the confiscation of criminal assets with a view to obtaining compensation for the victims who have provided statements of loss to the police’.