Surrey director moved £100,000 in fraudulent Covid loans through family bank accounts
A Surrey director has been sentenced to two years and three months in prison for fraudulently obtaining £100,000 in Covid loans and moving the money through family bank accounts.
John Walker, 46, of Nunnery Lane, Guildford, Surrey, was sentenced at Guildford Crown Court on Friday, December 13, 2024.
Walker was the director of JDW Electrical & Maintenance Ltd, a company that was not eligible for Covid loans. Despite this, he submitted two fraudulent applications for loans worth £50,000 each.
The applications were made in the names of two other people, but Walker used his own bank account to receive the money. He then transferred the money to his wife’s bank account and then to his own account.
Walker used the money to pay for personal expenses, including a holiday to Spain.
He was arrested in January 2023 after an investigation by the Insolvency Service.
Walker pleaded guilty to two counts of fraud by false representation.
Judge Robert Fraser said Walker’s offending was “sophisticated and calculated”.
He said: “You abused the trust that was placed in you by the government and the taxpayer. You used the money to fund your own lifestyle, including a holiday to Spain.
“This was a serious breach of trust and you have shown no remorse for your actions.”
Walker was also disqualified from being a company director for five years.
The Insolvency Service said Walker’s case was a reminder that it will not tolerate fraud.
Paul Appleton, Chief Investigator for the Insolvency Service, said: “Walker’s actions were a clear attempt to defraud the taxpayer. He abused the Covid loan scheme, which was designed to help businesses during the pandemic.
“We will continue to investigate and prosecute those who commit fraud against the government.”
Surrey director moved £100,000 in fraudulent Covid loans through family bank accounts
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