Yorkshire director among three prosecuted over horsemeat fraud

A DIRECTOR of a Yorkshire business has been prosecuted along with two others for fraudulently selling horsemeat as beef.

The accused include Alex Ostler-Beech, 43, from Hull, who was formerly a director at several now-dissolved companies based in Hull, and another in Worcestershire, Java Supplies.

He is currently director at meat wholesaler Duda Poutlry based on Newlands Science Park near Hull.

He was joined by Ulrik Nielsen, 57, from Gentofte, Denmark, and Andrew Sideras, 54, from Southgate, London.

The men were allegedly involved in fraudulent activities in 2012, shortly before the supermarket horsemeat scandal was exposed.

Kristin Jones, head of specialist fraud for the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “The CPS has today authorised charges against three men, relating to the sale of mixed beef and horsemeat products that were sold as beef.

“After carefully considering evidence from the UK and overseas, the CPS has decided that there is sufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction and it is in the public interest to charge these three men.

“This decision comes after a thorough investigation conducted by the City of London police in liaison with partner agencies.

“May I remind all concerned that criminal proceedings against Nielsen, Ostler-Beech and Sideras will now be commenced and of their right to a fair trial. It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.”

All three men will appear before magistrates in London on 27 September.