Barristers Secure Acquittals in Complex Fraudulent Trading Trial

Following a five-week trial at Birmingham Crown Court, all four defendants were unanimously acquitted of charges of fraudulent trading and related offences.

The prosecution alleged that, after the company became insolvent, the defendants diverted company funds—including to connected entities—and deliberately obstructed the investigation conducted by the appointed liquidator.

However, at the close of the prosecution’s case, the judge withdrew four charges following a successful submission of no case to answer, based on the scope and interpretation of provisions within the Insolvency Act 1986. The jury subsequently returned unanimous not guilty verdicts on all remaining counts.

Jonathan Barker, instructed by John Alchin of Cartwright King Solicitors, represented the first defendant, a company director.

Stefan Kolodynski, instructed by Ghulum Sohail of MPR Solicitors LLP, acted for the second defendant, also a director of the company.

Jennifer Josephs KC, instructed by Filiz Ekrem of Nelson Guest & Partners, represented the principal shareholder.