Sarper Djevdet Ahmet (57), from Clacton-on-Sea, appeared at Colchester Magistrates' Court on 18 September 2019 where he was sentenced to four months in prison having been charged with one count of fraudulent disposal of property.
The court heard that Sarper Ahmet had been ordered bankrupt in August 2015 but the prosecution presented evidence that he had been experiencing debt issues long before this date.
In January 2014 Sarper Ahmet would have been aware of his debt issues but gave instructions to a firm of solicitors to transfer his share in a property in Clacton-On-Sea, worth just under £40,000, to his ex-partner.
By March 2014 the property transfer was complete and two months later in May, Sarper Ahmet spoke to a finance company to discuss a debt management plan. He failed, however, to disclose that he had transferred the Clacton-On-Sea property, while claiming he was staying in rented accommodation.
He was ordered bankrupt by the court in August 2015 and following further enquiries by the Official Receiver the asset and its disposal was discovered. Ahmet later admitted that he was concerned that his ex-partner would be forced to sell the house.
Arwel Jones, Legal Services Director for the Insolvency Service said:
Experiencing bankruptcy is a difficult situation for anyone going through it. But this does not excuse Sarper Ahmet's behaviour when he tried to hide his interest in a property so that he could avoid paying his creditors what they were owed.
The fact that he received a custodial term demonstrates the severity of his crime and we hope this serves as a clear warning to other people that there are serious consequences for those who try to hide their assets from the Official Receiver.
