A
Conman Malcolm Barber said the 34 character references he received during his trial had been “beneficial and most appreciated” - and slammed attempts to “vilify” his name.
His comments came in letters to those who provided the references - despite him being sentenced to four years in prison for fraud .
Barber was jailed in January 2014 after duping 127 investors – mostly pensioners who had handed over their life savings and retirement funds – out of £5.7m through an elaborate savings scam.
In the letter seen by the ECHO, dated February 10, the former treasurer of the Liverpool and District Cricket Competition argues the judge who sentenced him did not believe he intended to defraud anyone or cause harm to others.
Writing “to the 34 providers of my character references”, he said: “Whilst I understand in hindsight that I made errors of judgement and misplaced trust which ultimately led to far reaching circumstances, I have throughout sought to retain my reputation as a person of integrity and will continue to do so.
“There are those, regrettably with prominent media access, who campaign to vilify my character with inaccuracies and malicious innuendo. I wish to reassure you that your support of two years ago remains as valid today as it did then.”
He goes on to add that the support allowed him to obtain responsible positions - like library assistant and “trusted mentor” - allowing him to help “those less fortunate than myself” - an apparent reference to the roles he had behind bars.
But shocked at the conman’s comments the son of one Barber’s victims said his words would “ring hollow” to those he defrauded.
Justin Dunn, from Hoylake, said: “No change there, then. Barber bleats his innocence.
“His comment about people less fortunate than himself - while forgetting to say they were his fellow prisoners as he served time for fraud - rings a little hollow to the 127 people he ripped off to the value of over £5 million.
“It’s pretty lamentable too that he blames his predicament on media coverage. It’s absolute rot and he knows it.”
Barber, along with sidekick Terry Warrington, a Morecambe businessman, ran two firms – Gentry and Dublin – that promised “complete security” bonds to investors, whose cash was then loaned to “high-risk” people turned down by the banks.
Despite a £2m black hole in their finances and being insolvent, the men continued to dupe investors into handing over more cash on the promise of unachievable returns.
Victims were left with nothing when the two companies, registered variously in the Isle of Man, Bahamas and Guernsey, collapsed in 2007.
Barber, of Links View, Wallasey, was found guilty of two counts of fraudulent trading with a judge at Preston Crown Court ruling that he had benefitted through his fraudulent activity to the tune of £5.7m, allowing for inflation.
Warrington, of Michaelson Avenue, Morecambe, admitted fraud and theft charges and was jailed for four and a half years.
(Liverpool Echo)
Comments
Post a Comment