Fri, 12 Jan 2018
ALEX STEIN PROSECUTES EX-BHS OWNER
The former owner of BHS has been convicted of failing to co-operate with The Pensions Regulator (TPR).
Businessman Dominic Chappell, who bought the high street chain for just £1 from Sir Philip Green the year before it went into administration, was convicted of three counts of neglecting or refusing to provide information or documents.
At that time, in 2016, 11,000 staff lost their jobs and the retailer had a pension deficit of £571m - though Sir Philip later agreed to pay £363m to help plug the black hole.
Alex Stein a member of No5’s Regulatory and Licensing Group, led the prosecution in the four day trial at Brighton Magistrates’ Court, at which Mr Chappell insisted he had given his all in trying to comply with TPR's requests.
Chappell further claimed many documents had been destroyed before he took control of the business and he was prevented from entering BHS offices for months after BHS ceased trading.
Sentencing is due to take place next week to allow for reports to be completed on the former bankrupt businessman's financial status.
TPR is still pursuing him for a contribution to the BHS pension schemes.
Follow the link to read a full report of the trial on the Guardian’s website: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2018/jan/11/bhs-ex-owner-dominic-chappell-found-guilty-of-not-disclosing-vital-information
Read the judgment here: https://www.judiciary.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/the-pension-regulator-v-dominic-joseph-chappell-judgment.pdf
