Ed Hand appealed a 20 month sentence imposed after guilty pleas to 3 counts of Fraud at Winchester Crown Court in May 2018. Stephanie Townend had defrauded in excess of £34,000 from her employer. Despite previous good character, excellent personal references and a very poor state of health the sentencing Judge reduced the sentence from 3 years to one of 20 months but did not suspend the term. Following written and oral submissions the Court of Appeal agreed this was manifestly excessive and suspended the sentence on all three counts without interfering with the length.
Ed was instructed by Julie Fergusson of Levales solicitors.
