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A disqualified company director has been found guilty of continuing to act as one when disqualified has been ordered to pay £100,000 or face imprisonment after transferring company funds to his personal account
Christopher Cook, 66, from Oxford, was running Cupio Vehicle Management between 2016-18 while already being disqualified from acting as a company director in 2015.
Cook was originally banned from acting as a company director for failing to pay tax while acting as a director of Park Hall South East Ltd. He still claims to be the director of this company on his LinkedIn.
However, Companies House shows the company was dissolved in December 2018, owing £425,357 to creditors.
In these two years Cook transferred £109,944 out of the company for ‘wages’ and ‘personal transfers’, being ordered to pay the money back in December 2024 by the Insolvency Service.
If the money is not paid in full Cook will face up to 12 months in prison.
Cook claimed he continued his role as a company secretary, appointing co-defendant Richard Hawkins, 62, from Ducklington, as the company director in 2016. However, it was found Cook was still primarily in charge of the company before it was dissolved in August 2023, also owing creditors over £459,000.
After pleading guilty to acting as a company director while disqualified in March 2024, Cook was sentenced at Oxford Crown Court to an 18-month community order, as well as having to complete 150 hours of community service.
At the same court in December 2024 a confiscation order took place where the judge ordered cook to pay back the full amount or be sent to prison. Additionally, Hawkins pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting Cook in committing his offence. Hawkins was given a £1,000 fine and ordered t pay costs of £250.
Alexander Grierson, head of asset recovery at the Insolvency Service said: ‘This case serves as a warning to others that no matter how much time passes, justice will catch up with those who continue to run companies while they are banned.
‘Christopher Cook clearly thought little of his disqualification and continued to operate as normal.
‘We have worked hard to identify what assets he has. This has been a lengthy process but now ensures the money he owes can be recovered.’
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Peninsula Team, Peninsula Team
(Last updated )
Peninsula Team, Peninsula Team
(Last updated )
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