Barking and Dagenham Post - Barking and Dagenham charity chief cleared of fraud

Barking and Dagenham Post - Barking and Dagenham charity chief cleared of fraud

16 April 2010

A DISABLED charity chief was cleared of fraud allegations after the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) offered no evidence against her.

Lesley Hawes, 60, of Ardleigh Green Road, Hornchurch, had been charged with making false representations in order to make a gain.

But on Wednesday March 31 the charges were dismissed by Snaresbrook Crown Court after the CPS presented no evidence against Ms Hawes, who is the chief executive of the Disablement Association of Barking and Dagenham (DABD).

She was accused of fraud last year alongside the borough's Age Concern chief, Claire Ramm, but both women have now been acquitted.

However Catherine Skyes, 37, of Stoke Newington, David Marks, 64, of Highgate, and James McManus, 43, of Birmingham, will all stand trial this September.

It is alleged Skyes dishonestly obtained cash from Barking and Dagenham Primary Care Trust (PCT) through abusing her position as a lecturer.

She was also charged with entering into an arrangement involving criminal property, namely money.

Marks will stand trial accused of dishonestly obtaining cash from the PCT by abusing his position as a Professor of Psychology at London's City University.

He was also charged with entering into an arrangement involving criminal property, namely money.

And McManus, a former B&D PCT employee, is accused of abusing his position as assistant director to make a gain for himself.

It is alleged McManus obtained money from his employer through deception and failed to inform the PCT that he had awarded contracts worth over £8,000.

The trial begins on September 13 and is expected to last six weeks.