The dad of Lincolnshire X-Factor star Ella Henderson has been put behind bars for his part in a fraudulent get-rich-quick scheme.
Businessman Sean Henderson, 51, from Tetney, Lincolnshire, appeared before Sheffield Crown Court on Friday, April 6, and was sentenced to three and a half years in jail after he was found guilty of conspiracy to defraud.
He was also convicted for one count of VAT fraud for failing to pay more than £26,000 through three trials spanning two years.
He was involved in a scheme to convince Irish investors to give money, promising returns of up to 20% – a claim that was never fulfilled.
Courts heard investors who saw little return were given excuses including that the ‘mafia had stolen the money’.
Fellow con man and co-owner of marketing company Crystal Power Stephen Keegan was also jailed for three years and nine months for his involvement in the same crime. Together, they reportedly conned investors out of £4.7 million.
Judge Paul Watson, QC, said Henderson had “capitalised on naive victims”.
Henderson, who was heavily involved in the career of Ella after she shot to stardom in the 2012 X Factor reality TV show, previously denied the charges against him and said Keegan was the ringleader of the scheme.
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Protesters appealed to Lincoln councillors from across all parties to join them in a minute’s silence to honour the victims of the Israel-Hamas war, but none participated.
Organised by members of the Lincoln Trade Union and Socialist Coalition (Lincoln TUSC) and Lincoln Friends of Palestine, the vigil took place outside the Guildhall during Tuesday’s full council meeting, where attendees called on local representatives to take a moment out of their busy agenda to join them in solidarity.
A new driver who caused the deaths of two teenage friends just 28 days after passing her test was spared jail after a judge heard moving pleas from her victims’ families.
Lara Jensen, 20, from Grimsby, was taking a group of young friends to watch the sunset before they all went off to university when she misjudged a triangular junction and crossed in front of an oncoming car.