In a significant legal development, the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) successfully brought charges against David Black, a convicted £17 million solar panel fraudster, for the second time. Westminster Magistrates’ Court heard that Black, operating under a new alias, violated conditions imposed upon his release by using a different name in business dealings. This breach, involving his third alias in five years, was discovered by SFO investigators, who were alerted to his use of the name David Hardie. Black admitted to adopting this alias to conceal his previous fraud conviction and avoid scrutiny from potential clients. The Serious Crime Prevention Order (SCPO), which came into effect in January 2021 to monitor Black’s activities, explicitly prohibited him from changing his name. Previously known as David Diaz and briefly as David Stark, Black, along with five others, was convicted in 2018 for defrauding 1,500 victims, mostly elderly, through deceptive sales tactics related to solar panels. The group, operating under the company Solar Energy Savings Ltd. in Manchester, falsely promised victims that their investments would be returned in full within five years. Notably, this case marks the SFO’s first prosecution for a breach of a SCPO. Nick Ephgrave QPM, Director of the SFO, emphasized the importance of enforcing restrictions on convicted criminals to safeguard the public. Black is scheduled to be sentenced at Southwark Crown Court.
SOURCE: SFO GOV UK | DECEMBER 15 2023
