R v Narinder Kaur
[2024] EWCA Crim 795
R v Lois Christine Asha Bhagwan
23 February 2023
[2023] EWCA Crim 577
Court of Appeal
A woman was found guilty of fraud. She tried to appeal, saying she didn't get a fair trial because of problems with her extradition and lawyers. The court said her reasons weren't good enough and kept her guilty verdict.
Key Facts
- •Lois Christine Asha Bhagwan was convicted on 29 July 2021 of six counts of fraud by false representation and one count of obtaining a money transfer by deception.
- •The fraud involved a scheme called the "Lionheart Project", where Bhagwan solicited investments from nine complainants, resulting in a total loss of £233,000.
- •Only three investors received partial refunds totaling £10,360.
- •Bhagwan was arrested in France under a European Arrest Warrant and extradited to the UK.
- •The defense argued that Bhagwan acted honestly and never intended to mislead investors.
- •Bhagwan's renewed application for leave to appeal was based on alleged abuse of process, judicial misconduct, and ineffective defense representation.
Legal Principles
Outcomes
The renewed application for leave to appeal was refused.
The court found none of the three grounds of appeal to be arguable and that the convictions were not arguably unsafe. The court considered the applicant's delays and lack of supporting evidence, including medical evidence, in reaching its decision.