THE principal of a long distance learning college has been convicted of awarding a fake doctorate to a Bournemouth MBE recipient who had studied seven years for the qualification.

Philip August, who runs the European College Collective in Middlesex, pleaded guilty at Wimborne Magistrates to purporting to grant an award that could be taken to confer the title of doctorate.

As reported in the Daily Echo, Beatrice Harris MBE from Kinson paid nearly £3,000 to Mr August over the years, financing what she thought was a doctorate in psychology and criminology.

But when the 55-year-old approached higher education professionals to find out about teaching her subject, she was told that her qualification was worthless and not legitimate.

Mrs Harris then lodged a complaint with trading standards officials who instigated legal proceedings against August, of High Street, Pinner.

Mrs Harris was awarded an MBE in 1994 for her services to politics after working as a senior telephonist for 17 years at Conservative HQ in London.

She said: "His conviction is an excellent result but I hope that he's not allowed to trade anymore under false pretences.

"But I'm still very angry about wasting all those years of hard study - some days putting in 15 hours of work.

"I still have a piece of paper that's not worth a thing."

August, 44, was fined £1,000 and ordered to pay £750 compensation and £175 costs.

Bournemouth trading standards officer Andy Sherriff said: "We are pleased that the courts have seen sense and saw that Mr August made efforts to avoid the law and use loopholes in it to defraud Mrs Harris.

"The court also saw the upset caused to this lady as well as other students as a result of his actions, which degrade the education system and demean the hard work and efforts of those trying to better themselves.

"We hope this conviction sends a message to Mr August and others of his kind."

August's school has had several names during Mrs Harris's period of studies: European College Network, the ACT Open College, National Home Study College and European Training Corporation Ltd ACT - all at the same address in Pinner.

First published: September 15