The jury will continue its deliberations today (Tues) in the trial at Leeds Crown Court of three defendants accused of involvement in a council tax fraud.
Asif Iqbal, Wendy Smith and John Boon were employed by Jack Darrell Henry, who had numerous Huddersfield-based businesses offering customers council tax rebates and rebanding which were investigated after complaints.
Iqbal, 43, of Hall Bower, Newsome, Smith, 39, of Illingworth Road, Halifax, and Boon, 59 today (birthday August 19), of Spring Rise, Leeds, each deny conspiracy to defraud and conspiracy to transfer criminal property.
Henry, 47, has admitted his part in the fraud involving customers of various businesses including Council Tax Review, Household Claims, Reband UK Ltd and National Reband.
The eight man four woman jury was sent home for the night yesterday (mon) by Judge Guy Kearl QC who told them not to consider the case further until they are all back together today.
The prosecution claims that customers were either cold called or given leaflets which suggested they were over paying council tax and were in many cases “guaranteed a rebate.”
If they signed up the company concerned offered to apply for council tax rebanding on their behalf taking a percentage fee but it is alleged in many cases no application to the valuation office was made while in others which were submitted there were basic errors and incomplete information.
Boon was said have been Henry’s “right hand man” until he left in November 2012, Smith was a field sales rep and appointment booker and Iqbal was also a sales person. They deny dishonesty.
The trial continues.
