In Cheshire it is possible to steal £400,000 of public money and not go to jail.
James Plant | 22.02.2008 10:50
In these days of a crackdown on crime, it is possible to steal substantial amounts of public money and go on to enjoy living the high life on the proceeds with total impunity from Cheshire Police. This Alice in Wonderland world works if you have the right contacts.
In Chester there was an accountant, let us call him John E. It has to be said that he was not much of an accountant, preferring to spend his time hob nobbing with a local decadent aristocrat in the City Club.
Then John E, became chairman of Chester Chamber of Trade and Enterprise. This body received substantial amounts from the government by way of grants. These were intended to be spent on training people who had been out of work,
in need of training in skills and other matters (so they say).
John E. saw his chance and promptly embezzled £400,000 of the government grants paid to Chester Chamber of Trade and Enterprise. He then left this body and went to live in Conwy Marina with his new wife. He has enjoyed a very high standard of living with the money he has stolen.
Chester Chamber of Trade and Enterprise knew that John E. had stolen this money. The people concerned said to themselves that John E. had the right handshake and was friendly with the local aristocrat, who also had the right handshake in a big way.
In months to come the news leaked out and half Chester got to know what had happened. The people that knew included the Member of Parliament and the local newspaper printed a piece on it too. This stated that £400,000 of government grants had been embezzled and gave the circumstances. It mentioned the local MP confirmed it as true.
Since the Police are so keen to arrest wrongdoers, you might expect John E. to have felt a hand on his shoulder. You would be wrong. Nothing has ever happened to John E. He continues to live a life of luxury with the public money he has stolen. His life on Costa Del Conwy Marina goes on quietly and without interference from Cheshire Police.
It is known that the matter has been reported to Cheshire Police yet they do nothing. Why is this? Well, John E. is a Freemason for starters. He also has socialised with his "pal" the local decadent aristocrat. This seems to give him further immunity from prosecution.
Cheshire Police fail to act when it is known beyond any doubt that he has stolen public money. So, next time Plod is looking at you when you have done nothing other than to express anti establishment views, try the Elphick defence, which is to give the right handshake and suggest you have a well connected friend who does too. This makes Plod go away and leave you in peace.
Then John E, became chairman of Chester Chamber of Trade and Enterprise. This body received substantial amounts from the government by way of grants. These were intended to be spent on training people who had been out of work,
in need of training in skills and other matters (so they say).
John E. saw his chance and promptly embezzled £400,000 of the government grants paid to Chester Chamber of Trade and Enterprise. He then left this body and went to live in Conwy Marina with his new wife. He has enjoyed a very high standard of living with the money he has stolen.
Chester Chamber of Trade and Enterprise knew that John E. had stolen this money. The people concerned said to themselves that John E. had the right handshake and was friendly with the local aristocrat, who also had the right handshake in a big way.
In months to come the news leaked out and half Chester got to know what had happened. The people that knew included the Member of Parliament and the local newspaper printed a piece on it too. This stated that £400,000 of government grants had been embezzled and gave the circumstances. It mentioned the local MP confirmed it as true.
Since the Police are so keen to arrest wrongdoers, you might expect John E. to have felt a hand on his shoulder. You would be wrong. Nothing has ever happened to John E. He continues to live a life of luxury with the public money he has stolen. His life on Costa Del Conwy Marina goes on quietly and without interference from Cheshire Police.
It is known that the matter has been reported to Cheshire Police yet they do nothing. Why is this? Well, John E. is a Freemason for starters. He also has socialised with his "pal" the local decadent aristocrat. This seems to give him further immunity from prosecution.
Cheshire Police fail to act when it is known beyond any doubt that he has stolen public money. So, next time Plod is looking at you when you have done nothing other than to express anti establishment views, try the Elphick defence, which is to give the right handshake and suggest you have a well connected friend who does too. This makes Plod go away and leave you in peace.
James Plant
e-mail:
jimsomol@yahoo.co.uk
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