FRAUDSTER Mark Robertson, who was jailed after making millions abusing a government training scheme, has denied stashing away his fortune in secret bank accounts across Europe.
In January Robertson was jailed for four years when he was found guilty of manipulating the Department of Education's Individual Learning Account programme through his company MRT Operations.
The Poole businessman lived a life of luxury, splashing out on fast cars, flash jewellery, houses, a speedboat and trips abroad after making more than £1.5 million through fraudulent trading.
When he was arrested his assets were seized, but at a confiscation hearing in Bournemouth Crown Court, the police said they suspect he may have squirreled away large sums of cash in Swiss bank accounts.
The 47-year-old denied the allegations and claimed he squandered away his fortune and has nothing left.
"In 2001 I was living an excessive lifestyle, on reflection," Robertson told the court.
"I suddenly had an awful lot of money coming in.
"I certainly wasted a lot of money, I gambled away a lot. I went to casinos, mostly in Bournemouth, maybe twice or five times a week."
Prosecuting, Andrew Wheeler told the court how Robertson's trips abroad appeared to coincide with large cash withdrawals from his bank account prior to departure.
On one trip the fraudster admitted taking £50,000 in cash with him in a holdall, but he insisted the money was to fund his extravagant lifestyle.
He also denied that large sums of cash he paid to his teenage son while he worked for his company were a gift.
Judge Samuel Wiggs is expected to make a decision in July on what assets Robertson accrued from his crimes. If he is unable to meet the amount set by the judge his prison sentence could be increased by up to five years.
First published: May 23
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