downsmail.co.uk


Director banned in fraud inquiry


A FORMER Kent Entrepreneur of theYear has been disqualified from acting as a director for 12 years, after constructing a scheme to de- fraud his company’s creditors. Alan Proto (48), an accountant and director of GML Construction Lim- ited, based in Coxheath, created false records to try and cover his tracks, when he knew the companywas in dif- ficulties. An investigation by the Insolvency


Service found Mr Proto (pictured) created and backdated documents to try and legitimise asset transfers to- talling more than £1m. GMLtraded from 1991 to Decem-


ber 2012. Itwent into administration in November 2013 and into liquida- tion two months later, with assets of almost £1.9m but liabilities totalling nearly £4.5m. The investigation revealed Mr


Proto created false documentation and constructed a scheme to put him in a better position and put assets be- yond the reach of creditors.


In December 2012, GML was


owed about £898,000 from a sub- sidiary involved in the sale of a property development. It was ex- pected that GML would receive re- payment following the sale of the development by the subsidiary. MrProto created entries on a com-


puter which purported to write off the outstanding debt due from the subsidiary and transferred the inter- est in the subsidiary for his benefit. He also created documents pur- porting to show other people agree- ing to this at a time he had never met them.Hebackdated correspondence to try and validate the scheme. Mr Proto, who now lives in Chester, also entered into transac- tions whereby his loan to GML of £150,000 was repaid ahead of other creditors. His scheme was exposed because


he had written out his plot on a com- puter and the noteswere retrieved. Cheryl Lambert, of the Insolvency Service said: “This is a significant ban, reflecting the severity with which the Insolvency Service con- siders director conduct.”


Rotary donations to charity


TWENTY Maidstone charities are benefiting from more than £13,000 raised by members of the Rotary Club of Maidstone, whomanaged Santa’s grotto at The Mall and operated business car parks during the Christmas period. Representatives of nine charities received cheques from president William Perry. They are Age UK Maidstone, Heart of Kent Hospice, Maidstone Mencap, Maidstone Churches’ Winter Shelter, Blood Runners, Crossroads Carers, Motor Neurone Association, Mall Cares and Moncktons (for Kent Air Ambulance).


Council gets solar energy


SOLAR energy is powering Maid- stone Council’s depot, after the in- stallation of solar panels. Local company Greener Eco in-


stalled the panels on the building in Bircholt Road, Park Wood. The move will reduce carbon emissions by 340 tonnes during the next 20 years and save £236,000.


Maidstone Council’s cabinet member for the environment, Cllr Marion Ring, said: “This is a win- win situation. We’ll be keeping an eye on how effectively this works at the depot with a view to installing renewable energy technology across all council-owned buildings in the future.”


The Cutbush & Corrall Charity (INCORPORATING THE QUESTED ALMSHOUSE CHARITY)


News


HOUSING FOR OLDER PEOPLE


The Cutbush & Corrall Charity, a traditional almshouse provider, is inviting applications for vacant properties. The Charity owns 148 affordable flats, houses and bungalows in Maidstone and Harrietsham.


Applicants should be residents of the Borough of Maidstone who are aged over 50, retired (or only working part time) and in need of the Charity’s assistance.


For more details please contact Caroline Gambell, Clerk & Administrator, Tel: 01622 765612.


Further information can be found on the Charity’s website: www.cutbushandcorrall.co.uk


Maidstone South April 2015 9


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48