Former ITV Accountant who stole thousands from employer has been jailed
Darren Smith, of Leeds, has today been jailed for three and a half years for his part in defrauding ITV, the company he used to work for.
The former accountant was accused of defrauding ITV by providing false invoices. Steve Marsden, who conspired with Smith has been sentenced to 2 years in jail.
The pair were found guilty of providing 29 false invoices that came to a total of £141, 960. They set up a fake company to claim the pay for fictitious work.
The Judge at Leeds Crown Court today, said Smith stole a serious amount of money through a serious breach of the company's trust.
"You set out on a repeated act of criminality, which you carried out over a protracted period of time, recruiting Marsden, sending false invoices and setting up a fictitious company"
– James Spencer QC
The court heard that Darren Smith, who has two children aged 7 and 9 years old, had racked up a debt totalling £846,000. The court also heard that Mr Smith has told his children he is going away to train as a teacher and that he will make it up to them when he gets out.
In a statement read in court, Ms Rudd said: "Richard has only ever been brilliant with Grace and me since she was born. He is a very proud dad." They remain in a relationship, the court was told during the trial.
Barnes denied murder but was found guilty by a jury after a short deliberation.
He was jailed for life by the judge, Mr Justice Cooke, who ordered him to serve a minimum of 13 years before he is considered for release.
Father jailed for killing his eight-week-old baby by crushing her
skull
Richard Barnes has been told he must serve a minimum of 13 years in prison.
Barnes was found guilty of murdering baby Grace at Leeds Crown Court.
Senior officers called the case "a tragedy".
Jurors heard how Barnes had secretly drunk whisky and vodka before he was left with his daughter. After she suffered the devastating injuries, he went out to buy more alcohol rather than call an ambulance.
Barnes, 27, caused the injuries in November last year at the family home in Crowther Street, Castleford.
The jury heard there were no concerns about Grace's care during her short life and the family home Barnes shared with Stephanie Rudd, his partner since 2006, was "spotless".
A 30 year old man has been jailed for 7 years after he was found guilty of a string of serious driving offences, one of which resulted in the death of a father of five. Paul Pilotille pleaded guilty at Leeds Crown Court to causing death by dangerous driving, driving whilst
disqualified, handling stolen goods and aggravated vehicle taking. He was sentenced to a minimum term of seven years imprisonment and disqualified from driving for ten years. He will have to take a higher standard driving test before he will be licensed to drive again.
Adjournment in case of teenager accused of murdering two women.
Ahmad Otak, 19, was due to appear at Leeds Crown Court charged with the murders of Kimberley Frank, 17, and Samantha Sykes, 18, in Wakefield.
The bodies of the women were discovered at the flat in Barden Road, in the Eastmoor area of Wakefield, in March.
Otak, of Linton Road, Wakefield, is also accused of the kidnap and false imprisonment of Miss Frank's sister, Elisa Frank, and possession of a large kitchen knife in a public place.
Otak did not appear in court and the plea and case management hearing was adjourned until August 13.
A man from Ossett has been ordered to pay over £100,000 which is money said to be made from supplying Cocaine and Amphetamine.
49-year-old Christopher Walker appeared before Leeds Crown Court yesterday and heard how he now has six months to pay back the money under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
If he fails to pay the order in full he will face a further 2 years time behind bars and the debt remains outstanding.
Walker was jailed for 8 years in March 2010 after being found guilty of conspiring to supply Class A and B drugs.
The parents of a 7 week old baby girl have appeared in court again today accused of her murder.
Krystal Davison from Pontefract died from serious injuries on Friday after being taken to Pinderfields Hospital from her home on Ashleigh Avenue.
Her mother Jessica Hopkinson - who turns 19 today - was granted bail at Leeds Crown Court. 28 year old Lee Davison was remanded in custody. They will next appear on April 30th.