Body armour firm boss jailed for two years
THE former boss of a North West company who illegally sold $6m worth of military body armour in the Middle East and Iraq has been jailed for two years.
Jason Teal, 40, from Burnley, the former managing director of Bolton-based Armor Products International was sentenced yesterday at Southwark Crown Court in London.
Teal was also ordered to pay £30,000 towards the cost of the prosecution and a confiscation order for £9,000 was also made.
His one-time colleague Glynn Jones, 48, of Newhay Rochdale, the operations manager and former technical director at Armor Products – a UK subsidiary of US giant Armor Holdings – was handed a suspended jail sentence of two years on the condition that he carries out 200 hours of community service.
He also ordered to pay £9,000 towards prosecution costs.
The pair, who pleaded guilty to breaking export rules after a major investigation by HM Revenue and Customs, illegally sent hundreds of bullet-proof body armour, helmets and to Iraq and Kuwait, among other destinations.
HMRC investigators obtained evidence from Teal and Jones’ computers which showed they knew they were breaking the law in order to secure orders to supply body armour for commercial gain.
Peter Millroy, assistant director of Criminal Investigation for HMRC, said: “Teal and Jones knew the law and were determined to circumvent it simply to make money. Export controls exist for a reason and HMRC will investigate and bring to justice anyone attempting to break the law .”
Elspeth Pringle, prosecutor for the CPS Central Fraud Group, said: “Export licences are a vital tool for ensuring that military equipment is not misused in conflict zones.
“Jason Teal and Glynn Jones knew this from their experience in the business, but they tried to deceive the authorities just so they could fulfil orders in time.
“They flouted the law for the sake of profit – this was both selfish and reckless. It is impossible to know where the armour they passed on to others to sell has ended up.
“The sentences reflect the seriousness of knowingly and willingly ignoring the licensing regime. Mr Teal and Mr Jones knew the law and their responsibilities. This is the price for ignoring both.”
