Quadsys Five fraud case pleas delayed until next month

Five men at security reseller Quadsys who stand accused of fraud are expected to enter pleas at Oxford Crown Court late next month after delays held up their case.

Paul Cox, MD at the Oxfordshire-based company, was charged in the summer with conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation and blackmail relating to an alleged hack of a rival security seller.

Co-defendants include Quadsys owner Paul Streeter, director Alistair Barnard, account manager Steve Davies and in-house security consultant Jon Townsend. Each face one charge of fraud.

The individuals attended Oxford Crown Court on Friday for a plea and case management hearing but a clerk told us no pleas were entered and a new PCMH date was set for 29 January.

Proceedings were held up by “paperwork”, the clerk revealed, but it is understand the men were awaiting confirmation of legal aid so their solicitors were unable to brief their barrister.

A three to four week trial has been pencilled in for in September, should the men plead not guilty, court clerks told The Channel.

The Quadsys Five were first arrested in March by Thames Valley Police, following a probe in conjunction with the National Crime Agency and the South East Organised Crime Unit.

The arrest warrant was executed on suspicion of a conspiracy to commit computer misuse offences; gain unauthorised access with intent to commit or facilitate commission of further offences; conspiracy to steal; and conspiracy to enter into/be concerned in the acquisition/retention/use of control of criminal property.

It is alleged the five plundered a rival’s database for customer data and sensitive information including pricing.

Quadsys is a highly accredited security reseller that carries the Gold badge from McAfee, Kaspersky, is a Silver partner for ESET and is authorised to sell Websense, Checkpoint, Trend Micro and Juniper, among others.

Customers include Leeds United FC, Derry City Council, South Tyne and Wear Primary Care Trust, the ASA, and Cokethorpe School, a private institution. ®