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Gamal Eboe / Colin French
Thirty-five people were arrested in Autumn 2002 by the National Crime Squad. Charges of conspiracy to obtain property by deception were made against 11 people, 7 were cautioned, 3 refused caution. No further action was taken against the remainder.
During the operation, National Crime Squad officers worked with police from the Northamptonshire, Sussex, Greater Manchester and West Midlands forces, as well as the Department for Education and Skills and its Special Investigations Unit.
On 11 April 2003 in Coventry Crown Court individuals were sentenced for their involvement in defrauding the ILA programme:
Colin French (Learning Provider) aka Michael Shanahan), 35, of Hartwell Road, Ashton, Northampton pleaded guilty on 9 counts of obtaining property by deception. He was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment and ordered to pay costs of £500. A compensation order of £12,050 was also made. French had received £18,600 from the ILA programme. The judge confirmed that French would have received 3 years had he not pleaded guilty to the offences.
Kate Fowler, 30, of Hilmor, Pyecombe Street, Pyecombe, Sussex, pleaded guilty to 2 counts of aiding and abetting French. Fowler was fined £525 and ordered to pay £500 costs.
Anthony Mann, 33, of Cloutsham Street, Northampton pleaded guilty to 2 counts of aiding and abetting French. Mann was ordered to do 150 hours community service and pay costs of £500.
Keith Mann, 35, of Boat Lane, Evesham, Worcestershire pleaded guilty to 2 counts of aiding abetting French. Mann was ordered to do 40 hours community service and an 18 month rehabilitation order was imposed.
Gamal Eboe (learning provider), 32, of Caledonian Road, Brighton pleaded guilty to 3 counts of obtaining property by deception. He was sentenced to 8 months, suspended for 18 months and ordered to pay costs of £500. No compensation order was made. Eboe had received £21,550 from the ILA programme.