English Courts Imposing Increased Prison Terms For Corruption

Prison sentences have been handed down to four defendants in a case where corrupt payments were obtained for passing on confidential procurement information to bidding suppliers. The contracts related to a series of high-value oil and gas engineering projects between 2001 and 2009 in Iran, Egypt, Russia, Singapore and Abu Dhabi.

The sentences, imposed at Southwark Crown Court, related to an investigation which began in 2008 following a tip off from a bidding company which was approached by the defendants. The defendants were convicted of conspiracy to commit corruption offences under the predecessor legislation to the Bribery Act 2010. The sentences ranged from twelve months' to five years' imprisonment. Two defendants were also disqualified from acting as company directors for a period of ten years. In addition confiscation orders are being sought against three of the defendants under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.