A man who applied for Covid Bounce Back Loans using fake business names and fake account details was sentenced to 19 months in prison when he appeared at Bristol Crown Court.
Attila Kovacs, 45, of Gloucester Road, was investigated by Bristol Trading Standards after they discovered evidence during a different investigation of false loan applications totalling £96,500.
The evidence was uncovered when investigating Kovacs for the illegal importation and sale of dogs.
The government-backed loans were intended to provide support to small and medium sized businesses who were affected by the pandemic. Rules of the loan scheme made it clear to applicants that they must confirm they were running a business.
In May and June 2020, Kovacs applied for the Covid Bounce Back Loans with false business names and account details. He used the identity of a former acquaintance to apply for the loan and spent the money on personal items such as clothes, furniture, and cash withdrawals.
He pleaded guilty to two offences under the Fraud Act 2006.
Cllr Andrew Brown, Chair of the Economy and Skills committee said: “Bristol City Council takes fraudulent activity very seriously and we will continue to take action when presented with evidence which shows fraud has taken place. These actions are a blatant abuse of the system.” The NGS
10 years of support
Macmillan Wellbeing Centre at Southmead Hospital has celebrated its 10th anniversary.
The centre provides a welcoming, non-clinical space for people affected by cancer to come for information, advice, support or a chat. It is available to those living with cancer, relatives and friends to provide support and a listening ear as well as a host of resources.
When it opened in 2014, as part of a partnership between North Bristol NHS Trust and Macmillan Cancer Support, it was the first centre of its kind in the Bristol area.
As well as a drop-in service for anyone seeking information or someone to talk to, the centre provides Cancer Information Sessions for people with a new diagnosis and facilitates patient support groups for several different types of cancer, including prostate, bladder, and brain tumour support.
Pre-surgery and rehabilitation sessions are held at the centre for people having operations for cancers including colorectal, breast and melanoma. Advice sessions are also provided at the centre.
Since opening in 2014 many thousands of people have benefited from the services the centre provides.
Centre manager, Arthur Quinn said: “We see the impact this service has on people living with and beyond cancer every day, and we know how important it is for them to have somewhere they can come, have a cup of tea and talk to someone, and be listened to.”