The underlying proceedings in the present case – the prosecution for false accounting and conspiracy to defraud – were never pursued.

In March 1995 the applicant, an Asian, appeared together with J.B. and G.C. before the Birmingham Crown Court, composed of a judge and a jury, to be tried for conspiracy to defraud.

The criminal proceedings for false accounting and conspiracy to defraud (see § 10 above) were struck out on grounds of delay by the Belfast Magistrates' Court in June 2002.

The former Spanghero director was accused of selling over 500 tonnes of horsemeat for beef in 2012 and 2013 to the manufacturer of pre-cooked meals, Tavola, in a fraudulent deal with Dutch businessman Johannes Fasen.