Anthony Simpson, a Bradford-based accountant, has been charged with syphoning nearly half a million pounds from a former employer.
Over a 2 year period, Simpson reportedly managed to steal £450,000 from Hammonds Direct, a conveyancing firm that has since gone bust.
Established in 1995, the company became a leading conveyancing business within the UK, with a turnover of around £14 million. With offices also based in Manchester and Mumbai, the company concentrated on providing re-mortgaging services.
Following a collapse in mortgage lending, Hammonds Direct lost over 80% of the business and had to declare bankruptcy in 2009, with over 200 jobs being cut.
At the beginning of the month, Simpson had his first appearance at the Bradford and Keighley Magistrates’ Court, and refused to obtain a legal representative.
During the hearing, he denied the charge of theft of employee, believed to have been committed between September 2008 and July 2010.
However, due to the high sum involved over the extensive time period, prosecutor Mark Haigh said a trial at the Bradford Crown Court would be more appropriate. Simpson concurred.
The next court hearing will now be held this week on 16th October 2014, for which Simpson is still refusing to bring a solicitor.
