A bankrupt former prison officer from Leeds has been given a nine month suspended prison sentence for failing to tell the Official Receiver about his debts and land he owned, following a prosecution by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS).
Paul Andrew Roberts, a property developer and former prison officer from Wortley pleaded guilty to five charges under the Insolvency Act 1986 at Leeds Crown Court.
Roberts was made bankrupt in September 2006 owing creditors over £128,000. However, he failed to tell the Official Receiver about a debt of almost 300,000, a half completed house in Wetherby, a credit card, bank account and a hire-purchase agreement on his car.
Roberts then attempted to have his bankruptcy annulled claiming he was able to pay off his creditors, but failed to attend court. After months of investigation, the Official Receiver discovered the full extent of Roberts deceit and referred the case to BIS for prosecution.
Paul Roberts was sentenced on Friday 12 February to 36 weeks custody suspended for 18 months, ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work and pay £500 costs.