Dan Frier and Sophie Evans Secure Acquittal in £30 Million Fraudulent Trading Trial

Dan Frier, leading Sophie Evans, represented a female of good character charged with fraudulent trading over a seven year period between 2011 and 2018.  The female stood trial together with five co-defendants.

The Prosecution was brought by Hertfordshire County Council Trading Standards.

The female faced an allegation of fraudulently trading wine. It was alleged that the company for which she was a senior salesperson had sold wine at grossly exaggerated prices, made false or misleading assertions as to the investment potential of wine, exploited vulnerable individuals and failed to supply wine within a reasonable time period, or at all.

The defence case was that she had never knowingly been party to the carrying on of a business for a fraudulent purpose, and did not know that the company was intentionally defrauding its customers.

The trial at St Albans Crown Court lasted for 13 weeks, resulting in the conviction of three defendants, and the acquittal of three defendants. The three convicted defendants await sentence later this year.

Dan and Sophie were instructed and assisted by Katie Kipps of Murray Hughman.

Media coverage:
BBC