SFO offer no evidence in relation to Hickman & Rose client, Richard Morris
10 Mar 2023
The SFO today offered no evidence against Hickman & Rose client, Richard Morris.
Mr Morris is the former CEO of G4S UK & Ireland. In July 2020, following an SFO investigation that began in 2013, he was charged with seven counts of fraud, in relation to G4S’s contract to provide electronic monitoring services to the Ministry of Justice. G4S Care & Justice Services (UK) Ltd had entered into a Deferred Prosecution Agreement (“DPA”) with the SFO earlier in July 2020 in relation to the same conduct. The SFO’s decision to offer no evidence means that he has been found not guilty of any wrongdoing.
The outcome mirrors that of Serco Geografix Ltd, who entered a DPA in July 2019 in relation to their provision of electronic monitoring services. Two senior executives – one represented by Hickman & Rose – were acquitted in April 2021.
Today’s decision therefore represents another case whereby the prosecution of senior individuals following a corporate’s DPA has failed: in addition to Serco, Hickman & Rose previously represented the former Managing Director of Tesco UK Ltd, acquitted following Tesco Stores Ltd’s DPA.
The H&R team who represented Mr Morris were Ross Dixon, Christopher du Boulay, Steffan Baker, Tom Bushnell, Olivia Dwan and Caio Alves. They instructed Ian Winter KC (Cloth Fair Chambers), Rachna Gokani and Tom Doble (both of QEB Hollis Whiteman Chambers). They were also assisted by Zara Brawley and Oliver Mosley (both of QEB Hollis Whiteman Chambers).
