Bristol financial controller jailed for fraud 

The Western Daily Press and Bristol Post reported that Neil Gover was sentenced to 20 months’ imprisonment at Bristol Crown Court, after he pleaded guilty to fraud by abuse of position.

Gover’s fraud was discovered by the owner of the Cowshed restaurant, Adam Denton, after he found turnover in the business was rising, but profit wasn’t.

The restaurant started trading in 2009 and had £900,000 turnover in its first year, Mark Hollier, prosecuting told the court. By 2013 it had risen to £5m.

False VAT returns were discovered at the company, incurring financial penalties. It transpired that Gover had been stealing from the business and covering his tracks using creative accounting, the Western Daily Press reported.

Gover had been promoted to financial controller with access to the company’s internet banking and passwords. The prosecutor said he had diverted Cowshed money to his personal bank account, with transactions ranging from £1,000 to £9,000.

After Denton told Gover to leave in December 2012 the financial controller then took a further £2,400, which he later returned.

Jonathan Stanniland, prosecuting, said Gover was a personal friend of Denton and after his promotion, both his personal business venture and marriage went down the pan.

The Western Daily Press reported that Recorder Stephen Hall told Gover: “You pleaded guilty to a significant and serious breach of trust… Over a relatively short period of time, you acted in the most reprehensible and dishonest manner.”

A future hearing will sanction a confiscation order.

 

Source: accountingweb

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