Six individuals have been sentenced for their involvement in a £1.7 million fraud and bribery scheme connected to heating contracts in Cranbrook, Devon.
Among those jailed were Mark Baker, Matthew Heyward, Timothy Patterson, and Richard King. Angela Baker and Andrew Blunsdon received suspended sentences. The case involved bribes in the form of cash, luxury items, false references, and other perks in exchange for awarding lucrative construction contracts.
Mark Baker, 56, from Goole, and Matthew Heyward, 51, from Kingsteignton, were contractors for energy company E.ON. Heyward alone accepted bribes worth £1.4 million, which included cash, high-end cars, hotel stays, and even building work. He admitted to spending large amounts on gambling, drugs, and other indulgences, including £250,000 at Ladbrokes.
Baker received over £280,000 in bribes, a Range Rover, and false tenancy references. His wife, Angela Baker, benefited with an air conditioning unit for her florist business.
Judge Rufus Taylor at Winchester Crown Court condemned the “group activity” as a long-running abuse of position for financial gain. He stressed that honest businesses were unfairly shut out due to the corruption.
“This kind of corruption has a chilling effect on the operation of commercial contracts,” the judge said, though he noted there was no evidence of substandard work by E.ON.
