Conmen face jail for defrauding double murderer

Saturday, 2 May 2015 16:20

Four people from Merseyside could face jail for conning convicted criminals – including a double-murderer from the Isle of Man.

Liverpool Crown Court heard 52 year old Michael Sibbald, Robert Marr, aged 63, and 28 year old Gemma Ward – all from New Brighton - defrauded nine inmates with 58 year old Anthony Bryce from Durham.

They set up a fake legal company called Kingdoms Legal Services in 2011, which they claimed would fight convictions.

More than £200,000 was paid into the company, including tens of thousands of pounds from the family of Peter Newbery, who is serving two life sentences for the murders of Samantha Barton and George Green in Strang.

Liverpool Crown Court heard Newbery, who was convicted after a trial at Douglas Courthouse, enlisted Kingdoms in May 2012.

His family paid the company £30,000 and two of the conmen travelled to the Isle of Man to visit him in prison and meet his family.

Ultimately, however, the company didn’t hire a single legal representative – and last week a jury unanimously found all the defendants guilty of conspiracy to commit fraud.

All were remanded in custody, and they’ll be sentenced on June 19.