Statement re SSL Intnl. Plc
November 05 2003 - 9:04AM
UK Regulatory
RNS Number:5996R
Serious Fraud Office
5 November 2003
The following statement was released via the Regulatory News Service of the
London Stock Exchange today:
SSL International plc
Six people appeared at Macclesfield Magistrates' Court today, charged with fraud
offences relating to the financial statements of SSL International plc ("SSL")
for the twenty-five months ending in March 2000. The company's accounts were
restated in June 2000.
The case arises out of an internal investigation conducted by SSL in 2001
following which suspected fraud was referred to the SFO who commenced a criminal
investigation, in conjunction with the Cheshire Constabulary, in July 2001. SSL
has co-operated fully with the investigating authorities throughout the inquiry.
Neither SSL nor any of its present employees are to be subject to criminal
proceedings.
Five of the defendants are former executives of SSL. Their association with the
company ended in 2001. The sixth defendant was an executive of AAH
Pharmaceuticals, a customer of SSL.
The persons charged and their former positions are:
1. Iain Charles Douglas Cater (51), group chief executive of SSL.
2. Dieno George (47), ultimately the Continental Europe managing director of
SSL.
3. Paul Anthony Sanders (39), group finance director of SSL.
4. Christine Ann Davenport (37), UK finance director of SSL.
5. Brian James John Ruane (45), UK sales director of SSL.
6. Colin Francis Wilson (60), purchasing director of AAH Pharmaceuticals.
The charges, are false statements by company directors, contrary to the Theft
Act 1968 and Corruption, contrary to the Prevention of Corruption Act 1906.
The case is to be transferred to a Crown Court for trial at a date to be fixed.
The defendants have been released on bail.
END
Serious Fraud Office, Elm House, 10-16 Elm Street, London, WC1X 0BJ
Press Office 'phone 020 7239 7001/7000 Mobile 0781 807 6688
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
END
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