HC Deb 16 February 1996 vol 271 cc726-7W
Mr. John Marshall

To ask the Attorney-General how many prosecutions were brought by the Serious Fraud Office in each of the last four years; in how many all defendants were found guilty; and in how many the principal defendant was found guilty of the most serious charge. [14748]

The Solicitor-General

I have been asked to reply.

Since 5 April 1992, the Serious Fraud Office has brought 68 cases to trial. In 37 of these trials, all the defendants were convicted. In 53 of the trials, the principal defendant, or a principal defendant, was convicted.

This is broken down as follows:

  • 5 April 1992 to 4 April 1993
  • 21 trials
  • 12 trials in which all of the defendants were convicted
  • 16 trials in which a principal defendant was convicted
  • 5 April 1993 to 4 April 1994
  • 26 trials
  • 14 trials in which all of the defendants were convicted
  • 20 trials in which a principal defendant was convicted
  • 5 April 1994 to 4 April 1995
  • 12 trials
  • 5 trials in which all of the defendants were convicted
  • 9 trials in which a principal defendant was convicted
  • 5 April 1995 to date
  • 9 trials
  • 6 trials in which all of the defendants were convicted
  • 8 trials in which a principal defendant was convicted

In Serious Fraud Office cases, only serious charges appear in the indictment.