An architect has been jailed for his part in an elaborate scam to cheat the taxman involving a bogus film and D-grade actors
More from: Bogus architect slapped with £1,000 fine
Ian Sherwood, formerly a director of Manchester-based DS Hattrel One, was locked up for three and a half years alongside other co-conspirators for his involvement in the ‘making’ of £20 million gangster movie A Landscape of Lies.
Described by Southwark Crown Court as an ‘entirely bogus film project’, the court heard how the gang attempted to fraudulently claim £2.7million in tax breaks, managing to receive £796,000 of public money by setting up a series of fake companies – none of which was ever recovered.
Sherwood was sentenced alongside plot mastermind Bashar Al Issa. A disgraced former property developer, Issa fronted BS Construction the firm behind Salford high-rise scheme Canopus Greengate (20 Dec 2007). Designed by Manchester-based Arca,the scheme was finally ditched and Issa firm went into administration in 2008 owing £44.5million.
DS Hattrell One director Kenneth Jones told the AJ that the firm had severed connections with Sherwood: ‘The guy has been convicted, he is no longer at the practice.’
Simon Howard, professional standards manager at ARB, said: ‘Generally speaking, convicted architects are referred to the Professional Conduct Committee (PCC) and it would be up to the committee to decide if Sherwood would be struck off in a process ‘that could take months.’
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ARB hits bogus architect with £1,000 fine
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Bogus architect hit for £7,000 by ARB
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Architect jailed for role in bogus film fraud
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