DURING the Angel Coatings' director's fraud trial, the court heard how the Isle of Wight was a “good place for rich pickings” as Simon Regan was accused of being a “dishonest bully”.
Regan, of Bradfield Road, Barrows Green, Crewe, was on trial at Southampton Crown Court this week and found guilty today.
Ahead of the jury retiring to begin their deliberations, Judge Brian Forster summed up both the defence and the prosecution’s closing speeches.
Duncan Milne, prosecuting, said 57-year-old Regan was not overwhelmed, and simply moved from company to company, always pushing the blame onto someone else.
He said there was evidence of Regan overcharging, and the Isle of Wight was a good place for rich pickings.
Mr Milne told members of the jury there was evidence of fraudulent trading, and called Regan a dishonest bully.
Frank Abbott, defending, said Regan suffered from PTSD and his gambling problem mainly involved his own money.
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He said accusations of gross overcharging could not be proved and urged the jury to consider the indictment carefully.
He said Regan had always intended to do the remedial works and did not set off to act in a dishonest way.
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