Defence forensic accountants

We are regularly instructed to prepare defence forensic accounting reports on a wide variety of cases, from fraud, money laundering, false accounting, cheating the public revenue (tax fraud), duty fraud (alcohol & tobacco), trade mark fraud, payment diversion fraud, drugs and many more.

Our forensic accountant Shaun Walbridge FCCA FAE, has given evidence on behalf of the defence on numerous occasions and is noted for the clarity of his report.

We are highly experienced in preparing detailed fee for legal aid cases – clearly identifying the need for our work and estimating the likely time and costs involved.

We work with a panel of solicitors as their preferred forensic accountants and are instructed on a regular basis. We welcome referrals from firms across the country England and Wales.

Prosecution forensic accountants

Matrix Forensic are experienced in assisting the Police and other prosecuting authorities in respect of forensic accounting and other financial issues for the purposes of trial.

With a broad range of practice and commercial experience, we are able to direct the prosecution authorities to those areas that matter in the prosecution of the case.

Cases have involved the reconstruction of accounting records from the source material, involving large losses to victims. A large case on which we were instructed, involved a loss of £20m to over 13,000 victims.

R v B & Others (2015) Southwark Crown Court. Acted as the principal forensic accounting expert witness for Devon & Cornwall Constabulary in “Operation Octagon”, a large-scale “Ponzi” style fraud with losses in excess of 20 million involving 13,000 victims in relation to the sale of currency. A second element to the case involved the sale of gold bullion and the theft of gold from customers.

The case involved 8 defendants and a 19-count indictment alleging in the main false accounting, fraudulent trading, and theft of bullion gold. This was the first paperless criminal “iPad trial”.

Our forensic accountant Shaun Walbridge FCCA FAE, has given evidence on behalf of the prosecution on numerous occasions, receiving positive feedback from the case officers.

"I found Mr Walbridge to be extremely helpful and knowledgeable.  He was always approachable and in good humour despite repeated delays in the case and large amounts of additional material being sent to him.

His final report was comprehensive and dealt with each count on the indictment in a manner that was easy to follow.

He presented the evidence well in court and dealt with questioning in cross-examination in a highly professional manner. I would have no hesitation in recommending his services".   

Forensic accounting - Proceeds of crime & confiscation

Matrix Forensic are experienced in challenging s16 Statement of Information raised by the prosecution under The Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.

Our forensic accountants have a significant amount of experience in this field. We will critically examine the Prosecutor’s statement and challenge it where necessary to provide reductions in the calculation of the benefit and available amount.

We understand the Court’s approach to ‘benefit’ and the practical application of the statutory assumptions in ‘criminal lifestyle’ cases.

Our forensic accountants produce coherent and readable reports marshalling the relevant facts and information based on a thorough and detailed examination of your client’s financial affairs over many years.

Forensic accountant assists police in £340k fraud

Winchester golf pro jailed for £340k fraud

A write-up of a case in "Accountancy Daily" in which Shaun Walbridge FCCA FAE acted as an Expert Witness for Hampshire Police.

Last month, Steven Alexander Hunter of Abbots Worthy was convicted by a jury at Salisbury Crown Court for four counts of fraud by abuse of position of trust, fraud by false representation, false accounting and cheating HMRC of public revenue.

Elizabeth Medland, CPS Wessex Senior Crown Prosecutor, said: “This case involved a thorough and complex investigation, with the review of a vast number of financial records and evidence to trace the money Hunter had fraudulently taken".

#expertwitness #forensicaccountant #crime #police
‘This article was first published in Accountancy Daily - 29 July 2022’