|
Architect John Poulson
said he was innocent and never tried to bribe
anyone |
1974: Architect jailed over
corruption |
Artificially 1969:
The
Architect John Poulson has been jailed for five years for corruption after
being found guilty of bribing public figures to win contracts.
Poulson, who was found guilty of conspiracy to make or receive corrupt
gifts, admitted that cash or presents worth ?0,000 had changed hands, but
had denied corruption.
Leeds Crown Court was told that the 63-year-old gave away more than
?00,000 in suits, holidays and flowers to win contracts.
After Poulson's business collapsed in 1972, an investigation revealed
it had been making payments to several MPs, police officers, health
authorities and civil servants.
The Yorkshire architect was found guilty by the jury of 10 men and two
women after four hours of deliberations following the trial.
Mr Justice Waller told Leeds Crown Court there was a web of corruption
that encompassed 23 local authorities and 300 individuals.
Poulson continued to protest his innocence and in a statement issued
through his solicitor said: "I may have been a fool but I will always
maintain that I was innocent of corruption. I have never tried to bribe
anybody."
William George Pottinger, 57, a senior Scottish civil servant, was also
jailed for five years for corruption.
It was revealed at Leeds Crown Court that Poulson admitted that some of
his huge debt arose from income tax frauds and the Inland Revenue had a
claim of ?78,000 against him.
Passing sentence, Mr Justice Waller told Poulson and Pottinger that
"the magnitude and evil nature" of what they had both done was such that
he would not take into account their age or health.
Mr Justice Waller said: "To offer corrupt gifts strikes at the very
foundation of our system. To accept them is a betrayal of trust."
Poulson, of Pontefract, broke down and wept when he heard his defence
counsel speak of the courage of his wife and two daughters during the
trial.
Donald Herrod, QC, had described his client as "hypocritical,
self-righteous and perhaps something of a megalomaniac".
However, the defence team claimed that the prosecution had failed to
prove corruption although it had proved greed.
During the trial, Poulson said: "I have squandered money on people I
thought were my friends. They conned me. I did not realise what an old
twit I had been until I heard some of the evidence here."
Poulson and Pottinger were taken to Armley Prison in Leeds to begin
their sentences. They are both considering appeals.