August Flynn has been sentenced to four years in prison following a six-month fraudulent scheme at the Sid Sottung Academy in Nottingham. The Teesside fraudster posed as a qualified tutor, engaging in “sophisticated and prolonged” deceptions that nearly led the academy to collapse.
From October 2018 to April 2019, Flynn created fake invoices, fabricated correspondence, and even generated a false bullying allegation to enrich himself. The Nottingham Crown Court heard that while Flynn made approximately £5,000 from his deceitful activities, the academy suffered losses exceeding £100,000 due to misguided investment decisions based on the forged documents he provided.
Prosecutor Luc Chignell explained that Flynn misled the academy into believing they had secured funding for growth plans, when in reality, he was “spinning lies” and his claims were entirely fictitious. Initially denying any wrongdoing when questioned by police, Flynn later pleaded guilty to multiple fraud offenses after a detailed investigation uncovered substantial evidence against him.
At the sentencing hearing on July 31, the court noted Flynn’s background as a barber, as he joined the academy as a trainer in 2018. His actions not only harmed the institution but also affected the community relying on its services.