A former director has admitted charges relating to the theft of more than £200,000 from his employer, Manston company Summit Aviation and sister company Gloucester Jet Test Centre Ltd.
James Boulton, from Broadstairs, pleaded guilty to seven counts of fraud by abuse of position and forgery when he appeared at Folkestone Magistrates Court on Friday (October 11).
The charges relate to money stolen between 2011 and 2023, Boulton had been in employment at Summit Aviation since 1990.
Boulton used a combination of his seniority and autonomy within the business, and a large number of forged documents, both to justify the payments and cover his tracks. He misappropriated monies by transferring money to his personal accounts as well as using company credit cards and bank accounts as though they were his own.
The fraud was initially discovered through an ordinary accounting invoice discrepancy. A significant internal investigation was then undertaken which revealed the true scale of the fraud.
The companies then instructed Edmonds Marshall McMahon to investigate and take out a private prosecution.
Following a criminal investigation Boulton was summonsed to appear before Folkstone Magistrates’ Court where he pleaded guilty to the charges against him.
The Judge said his sentencing powers were insufficient and so the case was committed for sentence to Canterbury Crown Court on a date to be advised.
Boulton is on unconditional bail. *Following statutory demand proceedings against Mr Boulton in the County Court he repaid some of the monies but the majority remains outstanding.
*This information was updated to reflect that only partial repayment has occurred.
More dodgy dealings at Manston. Whatever next?
Predictable reaction and comment. Nothing to do with the airfield, muppet.
Mr Veness – can you read ? Article refers to a private and successful company, not Manston Airport! I sometimes despair at some people frequenting this site.
Fair enough.
The CEO of RSP is an ex-solicitor, struck off for embezzeling clients’ funds.
Nothing at all to do with Summit Aviation.
Didn’t take long for the Manston nimby’s to show up here.
Lets not defer from the fact that this man has lied and caused a lot of pain to those close to him who thought they could trust him.
Hopefully the company will be even more successful without him stealing all the profits.
He deserves everything he gets.
An ex-friend of mine did his apprenticeship there. Trust me when I say I wouldn’t want to fly on anything they’ve worked on.