Ex-Innospec executives jailed for bribery

THREE former executives of Ellesmere Port-based chemicals manufacturer Innospec have been jailed for bribing Indonesian officials in return for contracts to supply lead additives to petrol.

The bribes were intended to secure contracts for the supply of products such as tetraethyl lead, also known as TEL, an octane booster to be added to engine fuel, which has been banned in most countries due to health concerns.

Former chief executive Dennis Kerrison and former regional sales director Miltiades Papachristos had denied conspiracy to commit corruption charges during a six-year investigation by the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) but were convicted in June.

Yesterday they were sentenced along with another former chief executive, Paul Jennings of Neston, cheshire, and marketing director David Turner who both pleaded guilty to conspiracy to corrupt charges regarding deals in Indonesia and Iraq two years ago.

Kerrison and Jennings received four years and two years respectively, while Papachristos was given 18 months and Turner was sentenced to a 16 month suspended sentence with 300 hours unpaid work. The company has already admitted guilt and paid a $12.7m fine in 2010.

Sentencing, Judge Goymer said: “Corruption in this company was endemic, institutionalised and ingrained… but despite being a separate legal entity it is not an automated machine; decisions are made by human minds.

“None of these defendants would consider themselves in the same category as common criminals who commit crimes of dishonesty or violence… but the real harm lies in the effect on public life, the effect on community and in particular with this corruption, its effect on the environment. If a company registered or based in the UK engages in bribery of foreign officials it tarnishes the reputation of this country in the international arena.”