First contra trading win in UK

Criminal investigation specialist John Milner of Irwin Mitchell Solicitors, instructing Mukul Chawla QC and Alexandra Healy QC, has successfully concluded the defence of a man charged with conspiracy to cheat the public revenue of some £180 million. 

The prosecution alleged that the conspiracy to cheat arose in relation to MTIC Contra Trading involving mobile telephones and was the first contra trading case that was the subject of criminal investigation and prosecution.

The investigation generated a colossal amount of material obtained both in this country and abroad and resulted in the Prosecution case comprising some 110,000 documents.

The acquittal of the defendant came at the conclusion of a five-month trial at Kingston Crown Court.  The defendant was one of six defendants who stood trial and one of only two whom the Jury acquitted. Reporting restrictions imposed by the Court prevent further disclosure of the details of the case.

This builds on the firm’s successful defence of two Dutch car exporters in a £10 million MTIC fraud linked to the automotive industry following a 10 week trial in Leeds at the end of last year which was also led by John Milner.