6 Deaf defendants successfully prosecuted for their part in a £750,000 Access to Work Fraud

News | Thu 12th Nov, 2015

After a 2 month trial at Southwark Crown Court the jury unanimously found 6 deaf defendants guilty of fraud. 

The fraud had been masterminded by Shahab Reza who was assisted by his wife Shehnaz Reza.  They received sentences of 7 ½ years and 22 months’ imprisonment respectively. 

Shahab Reza recruited a total of 14 so-called ‘employees’ to his sham companies and in return for a monthly retainer, they signed application forms and claim forms for reimbursement of support from the Access to Work scheme, a government benefit designed to assist disabled people overcome work related barriers through financing BSL interpreters, Communication Support Workers and/or equipment. 

A total of 11 people have now been successfully prosecuted over the course of two trials at Southwark Crown Court.

Sentencing of these 6 defendants will take place on Friday 11^th December 2015 at Southwark Crown Court.  Confiscation proceedings against Shahab and Shehnaz Reza will take place on 22^nd and 23^rd December 2015.

James Thacker was instructed by the CPS Specialist Fraud Division.  Jennifer Newcomb and Tom Rainsbury acted as Disclosure Counsel.