A husband and wife from Anglesey have been sentenced for their role in a multi-million pound fraud that funded a 'lavish lifestyle' of luxury cars, properties, and shopping. Rhys Williams, 41, and Lisa Williams, 40, were part of a wider fraud case involving four others at Birmingham Crown Court, with total sentences exceeding 49 years.
Rhys Williams admitted two charges of possessing criminal property and one of making false representation, while Lisa Williams pleaded guilty to one charge of possessing criminal property. The court heard that Williams, a former care home owner and property developer, acquired £179,000 from victim Michael McVicar in 2014 for a fake investment, and later another £120,000 in 2016, which the couple spent.
In a victim impact statement, Mr McVicar blamed Williams for the loss of his family home and the destruction of his family life, saying he had contemplated suicide. The couple withdrew £72,000 in cash in Spain, spent £46,000 on retail, £9,000 on restaurants and nightclubs, £7,000 on holiday accommodation, and £7,000 on an international school in Spain for their children.
Judge Carr noted that some offences involved a high degree of culpability, aggravated by cross-border activity and funding a lavish lifestyle. Rhys Williams was jailed for nine years for fraud and acquiring criminal property. Lisa Williams received 16 months, suspended for two years, for possessing criminal property.
Four other defendants were also sentenced, including former solicitor Jonathan Denton, who received 15 years for fraud totalling £25 million, and business associate Jason Curtis, jailed for nine years. All defendants will serve half their sentences in custody and the remainder on licence.
