An Italian father and son have denied forging 3.6 million first class stamps worth more than £2.2m.
See the story and look out for more on the Metro website..The penalty for each of their 13 combined fraud accusations carries the potential for an unlimited fine or six months in prison. The father is also accused of laundering more than £1.3m in criminal property, according to court documents.
UPDATE 24 June: Also now reported in the Daily Mail, where the magistrate is reported to have said:
'Because you are pleading not guilty the matter is going to trial.
'You are both released on unconditional bail, but if you do not arrive you a warrant will be issued.'
Definitely a case where surrender of passports wouldn't be amiss, irrespective of nationality, I would have thought, but I'm not a legal expert.
If they are Italian why have they been given bail, aren't they a flight risk?
ReplyDeleteI suspect this was journalistic shorthand for "a couple of Italian origin or heritage..."
DeleteDoesn't make them a flight risk.
Disappointed that Ian approved the comment by "Anonymous" - it seems born either of a total ignorance of due legal process, or (more disturbingly) to display undisguised xenophobia.
ReplyDeleteThis was later reported in the Daily Mail where the magistrate is reported to have granted bail as I've added above.
DeleteI'm surprised that the Mail didn't mention the possible flight risk or even raise much of a comment on the trial (seemingly just reporting the Metro facts+). I think the cost of extradition proceedings from Italy, if they were to return there, would justify retaining their passports.
I also think the same could be applied to anyone charged, irrespective of ethnicity/nationality. I'm not sure what due legal process is involved.
Boris Johnstone (not Johnson ) my comment may have been ignorance of legal progress but to suggest undisguised xenophobia is pathetic. My post was only to query why a foreign national (as I thought) would be given released with no restrictions. (Last sentence removed by moderator - unnecessary and emotive.)
DeleteTheir travel documents would have been seized by the police, so not an issue for a magistrates, though the royal Mail prosecutor should have sought a condition of not to apply for travel documents (passport, identity cards etc.). If they wanted them returned, then an application would have to be made to the Crown Court (no they have pleaded not guilty).
ReplyDeleteThe European arrest warrant is remarkably effective and has a minimal cost, unlike an extradition for a country not part of the scheme.
If they were given UNCONDITIONAL bail then travel documents would NOT have been taken otherwise the bail would have had conditions. (but I'm not a legal expert!)
DeleteI'm not sure what part of "UNCONDITIONAL bail" is proving so difficult to understand.
ReplyDeleteA magistrate - who is in full possession of the relevant facts - has reached a decision on whether or not to grant bail, and on what terms.
OK, so there will be no more comments on this post. When there are developments in this case I will post them separately.
ReplyDelete