Ex-secretary of collapsed Telford firm told to pay over £53k
The former company secretary of a collapsed drainage company has been ordered by a judge to pay more than £53,000 under a proceeds of crime ruling.
SP Holding, which was based in Telford, fell into administration in May last year, months after founder Steve Holding was jailed for encouraging drivers to falsify their mileages.
He won multi-million pound contracts with Severn Trent Water and a firm that supplied VIP boxes for major sporting events such as the British Grand Prix.
But he was jailed for putting the safety of his drivers, and other road users, at risk by forcing them to work long hours.
Holding's ex-wife Tracey Smith, of Wellington Road, Horsehay, Telford, also pleaded guilty to offences as the company secretary in charge of paying drivers.
She was spared jail – and sentenced instead to a 12-month community order to include 100 hours of unpaid work.
At Shrewsbury Crown Court, Judge Jim Tindal said Smith had benefited from the crime and must pay £53,500 under a proceeds of crime ruling.
She has 12 months to pay the full amount or faces a nine-month prison sentence.
Mr Tim Harrington, prosecuting, said Steve Holding will also face a proceeds of crime hearing next month.
SP Holding Tractor Hire Limited, SP Holding Services Limited, SP Holding Workshop Limited, SP Holding Limited and SP Holding Group Limited all collapsed into administration in May last year.
The group, which operated from Upper Coalmoor, Horsehay, Telford, was set up in 1985 by Stephen Holding and over the years developed into a major utility and industrial support business.
SP Holding had won multi-million pound contracts with Severn Trent Water and a firm which supplied VIP boxes for high-profile sporting events such as the British Grand Prix at Silverstone and the Isle of Man TT race.
The businessman was jailed for eight months at Shrewsbury Crown Court in January last year after he "aided and abetted" his drivers to falsify records of their hours of work and rest periods.
Holding, of Moreton Coppice in Telford, had pleaded guilty to a series of offences.
As the owner and director of SP Holding Services Ltd Holding – who was a former Company of the Year award winner at the Shropshire Business Awards – had also tendered guilty pleas on behalf of the company on two charges relating to the falsified drivers' records.
