Lynden Scourfield, 50, and Mark Dobson, 52, formerly senior managers in the Reading and London offices of the top bank, face corruption charges linked to alleged kickbacks paid in return for business loans from a Reading branch of HBOS.
Mr Scourfield appeared alongside: his wife Jacqueline; consultants David Mills and Michael Bancroft; their wives, Alison Mills and Beverley Bancroft; and John Cartwright, believed to be an associate of the two bankers.
The eight variously face charges of corruption, money laundering and fraudulent trading in relation to the £35m scam, the court heard.
John Black QC, prosecuting, said: “I anticipate there will be two trials, one for corruption and one for money laundering.
“Some of the fraudulent trading may also be put with the corruption charges.”
The charges follow an investigation carried out by Thames Valley Police’s Economic Crime Unit, following a referral from the FSA.
The alleged offences originated from HBoS’s impaired assets team based at the Reading branch, where Mr Dobson was a senior manager.
Judge Alistair McCreath adjourned the case for a plea and case management hearing on July 19, with trials due to follow.
None of the defendants have entered any pleas.
All eight were released on conditional bail, to live at their home address and restrictions on foreign travel.
The Defendants and their charges |
Mr Scourfield, of west London, is charged with one count of conspiracy to corrupt, three counts of fraudulent trading and one count of money laundering. Mr Dobson, of north London, is charged with one count of conspiracy to corrupt. Mr Mills, of Gloucestershire, is charged with one count of conspiracy to corrupt, three counts of fraudulent trading and one count of money laundering. Mr Bancroft, of Shipston-on-Stour, Warwickshire, is charged with one count of conspiracy to corrupt, three counts of fraudulent trading and one count of money laundering. Mr Cartwright, from Cheshire, is charged with one count of fraudulent trading. Ms Scourfield, of west London; Ms Mills, of Gloucestershire; and Ms Bancroft, of Shipston-on-Stour, Warwickshire, are each charged with one count of money laundering. |
