Insurance fraud case against telecoms bosses dropped

Tuesday 20 April 2021

A criminal case against the Chief Executive of a local telecoms company has been dropped.

Newtel Chief Executive Gary Whipp (58) and the firm’s Chief Operating Officer, Sabri Mokrani (41), had been charged with conspiracy to defraud an insurance company following a collision involving a company vehicle last year.

But the case was dismissed in the Magistrate’s Court this morning (Tuesday 20 April) after the prosecution offered no evidence.

The prosecution had initially wanted to discontinue the case, but the defendants objected, as a discontinuation would have meant it only being suspended and the charge remaining on file.

Instead, on Tuesday, the prosecution offered no evidence, the case was dismissed and the two defendants were discharged.

They were also awarded their legal costs.

Mr Whipp and Mr Mokrani had initially been charged on 22 February, when they had entered 'not guilty' pleas. 

This morning's hearing had originally been earmarked as one to commit the case to the Royal Court.