The police are investigating

New charge in Wembley fraud probe at school of £1m bonus pot

Thursday, June 7, 2012
3:58 PM

A sixth person has been charged by police following a probe at a north London school into bonuses worth £1m which was paid to senior staff.

The allegations centre on Copland Community School in Wembley.

A teacher turned whistle-blower to make the claims.

Dr Indravadan Patel, 72, of Green Lane, Stanmore, has been charged with conspiracy to defraud and fraud by abuse of position, said Scotland Yard.

Former headteacher Sir Alan Davies, 65, is accused of conspiracy to defraud the school, money laundering, conspiracy to commit false accounting and fraud by abuse of position, while Richard Evans, 55, the former deputy head, has been charged with conspiracy to defraud and fraud by abuse of position.

Martin Day, 57, of Evans Court, Halstead, Essex, is accused of conspiracy to defraud and fraud by abuse of position, while Columbus Udokoro, 61, unemployed, of Whitton Drive, Greenford, Middlesex, faces charges of conspiracy to defraud and conspiracy to commit false accounting.

In addition, Michele McKenzie, 52, of Shaldon Drive, Ruislip, Middlesex, has been charged with conspiracy to defraud and conspiracy to commit false accounting.

All six will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on June 12.