Churchgoing bent solicitor turned tax consultant jailed in £1million scam

A disgraced solicitor turned tax consultant has been jailed for six years after he fiddled clients to the tune of almost £1.5 million.

David Vaughan Jones, 78, a founder member of the Evangelical Church, was today jailed at Mold Crown Court .

Jones conned friends, fellow churchgoers and others who trusted him with money.

He persuaded them to invest in off-shore accounts to generate a higher rate of interest than in the UK.

Jones was struck off by The Law Society in 1991 before describing himself as a financial adviser, tax consultant and accountant – although he never qualified as such.

In October last year, on the second day of his trial, he changed his pleas and admitted 24 theft and fraud charges between 1994 -2015.

At that stage Judge Niclas Parry, sitting at Mold Crown Court, gave him “a remarkable chance” and deferred sentence for him to put “his money where his mouth is” and repay those who lost their savings.

Jones claimed money was held in the Channel Islands and he could compensate everyone.

Today the court heard how despite asking for bank details of his victims not a penny had been paid.

Judge Parry today said: “The reality is that over a period in excess of 20 years you were responsible for thefts and frauds from 12 victims – amounting to nearly £1.5 million,” the judge said.

The court heard Jones, of Crabtrees, Leighton, Welshpool, was regarded as a pillar of the community in Mid Wales where he was involved with the church in Newton.

Jones had made three appearances before the solicitors’ disciplinary tribunal for using clients’ money for his own purposes and for providing false information under financial regulations.

He was suspended and eventually struck off and branded “a dishonest man who was a stranger to the truth”.

Now, 26 years later, it had proved to be an accurate description, the judge said.

“You relied upon your standing in the community and on long standing friendships.

“You were a founder member of the Evangelical Church in Newtown and a significant number of people came to know you through the church,” the judge told him.

In many cases Jones of Crabtrees, Leighton, Welshpool preyed upon his victims’ vulnerabilities – and some had parted with savings at a time of bereavement, the court heard.

Judge Parry said he had read impact statements from victims who were seriously ill and unable to manage their day to say expenses; victims who were unable to pay off mortgages, victims whose health had been harmed by the stress of it all, and families unable to pay nursing home fees.

“Decent people felt utterly betrayed and astonished and the level of your deception. You made one broken promise after another,” the judge told him.

James Davis, prosecuting, said the amount involved was £1,495,000 although one victim had obtained £98,384 following civil proceedings.

He said that had recently been “a flurry of activity” when Jones asked for details of where the money should be paid.

Jeremy Lasker, defending, said it was his client’s contention funds were available and since the last hearing he had been to the Channel Islands on five occasions.

But he blamed other unscrupulous people for failing to obtain the money.

A Proceeds of Crime investigation is now taking place.

“Educated Man”

Speaking after the case Nicola Rees of the Crown Prosecution Service said: “David Jones is an educated man who applied his intelligence to running a financial scam.

“He systematically deceived people into paying considerable sums of money to him. He knew from outset that they were not paying into legitimate investments and he lied to them, using his influence within the community and on occasions as a family friend to maintain the pretence.

“There was a considerable amount of financial records to examine in this case and the prosecution team have worked meticulously to prepare the case for sentence.”