The jury, at the hearing at Southwark Crown Court today, have returned a verdict that Peter Young is not fit to plead in the proceedings brought against him by the SFO alleging conspiracy to defraud and Financial Services Act offences. The SFO accepts the verdict.
Variance in medical opinion (about Peter Young's mental condition) was such that, as a matter of public interest, the only proper course was for us to challenge the defence's claim about the defendant's mental condition and to put the question to the court.
Following a verdict of this nature there is a statutory requirement to proceed to a trial of the facts in relation to the case of alleged fraud. We will now proceed on this basis.
Proceedings against two other defendants (i.e. Mr. L and Stewart Armer) remain in place (trial expected in Autumn 2001). Proceedings against a fourth defendant, Jan Helge Johnsen , have already been stayed on grounds of his serious physical ill health.
SFO Press Office
Tel. 020 7239 7001
Mobile 0781 807 6688
