TREES SENTENCED

Finally we have the news that Samuel and Joan Tree have been sentenced.

Samuel Tree has been sentenced to three and a half years, and his wife Joan Tree to 300 hours Community work.

The sentence seems to be proportional to those handed out to James McCormick and Gary Bolton in terms of the value of sales made.

The details are available here:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-29477894

Unfortunately the sentences do not seem to reflect the fact that Samuel Tree was responsible for introducing the fake detector scam to the U.K., but it is good to see that they have been punished for their part in this despicable trade.

This is the last of a series of trials, convictions and sentences related to the trade in fake detectors based in the U.K. There are still many questions that remain unanswered. Not least how the U.K. Government did not act sooner to put an end to the various businesses involved, despite warnings in Whitehall as early as 2001.

We will be putting together a review at some stage, which will deal with the outstanding issues, not least of which is the ongoing use of some of these useless detectors in various countries.

It is a great shame that the business partner of the Trees was found not guilty last year. Simon Sherrard of Comstrac, who was effectively the salesman for the Alpha 6 must be feeling like a very lucky man indeed!

TREES SENTENCING UPDATE

Have just been informed that the sentencing has been put back to 3 October. Not sure why, but will post result when we find out.

Trees Sentencing

Just heard from Meirion Jones (top man BBC Producer and Reporter!) that following their guilty verdicts Samuel and Joan Tree will be sentenced on September 25th.

I hope the Judge will take into account the fact that Samuel Tree was responsible for originally introducing the Quadro Tracker into the U.K. Initially he and Malcolm Roe cooperated with Gary Bolton to produce a new version (identical) called The Mole.

When Bolton, Tree and Roe fell out Bolton re-invented the scam with the GT200. Meanwhile James McCormick spent some time helping Bolton to market Mole. They also fell out and McCormcik went on to the ADE651.

Tree went on to work on the Alpha 6 with Simon Sherrard. How he was found Not Guilty still amazes me, especially in the light of the guilty verdicts of the Trees.

So, to repeat my previous comment, Samuel Tree is at the root of all the UK variants of the fraud, and deserves a heavy sentence for that reason, even if he managed to sell fewer units than Bolton or McCormick.

ANOTHER GUILTY VERDICT - HIP HIP HOORAY

I am sure you will join me in celebrating the guilty verdicts against Samuel and Joan Tree. See news reports below.

These verdicts are particularly pleasing because Samuel Tree was responsible for bringing the scam to the U.K. from the U.S. in the form of the Quadro Tracker (along with one Malcolm Roe, who we understand may be dead).

Tree and Roe introduced the Quadro Tracker to Gary Bolton (convicted of fraud last year over the GT200 variant of the 'detector').

The Quadro Tracker was then renamed MOLE. At some stage it seems Tree, Roe and Bolton fell out, and then Bolton hooked up with James McCormick (convicted last year over the ADE651 variant). Tree then when on to hook up with Simon Sherrard of Comstrac to make and sell the Alpha 6 variant, with substantial orders in Thailand, Mexico and Lebanon.

Of course, Bolton and McCormick fell out and went their own ways with the GT200 and ADE651.

So you could say that Tree is the root of all this evil, and all the branches of the U.K. end of this fraud stem from him. Well, now he will take his leave of us for a while in prison, and I hope his sentence will reflect his central role in the scandal.  

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-28602876

That makes five of the six defendants in these fraud cases who have been convicted (the other being Anthony Williamson with his XK-9 variant). Regrettably, incredibly and sadly Simon Sherrard was found not guilty. He must be feeling very lucky today, but you never know when and how he might yet come a cropper. Perhaps the Police will be able to get the Trees to drop him in it, and a retrial with new evidence would then be on the cards. Let's hope so!

So, raise a glass tonight and wish them all the best in jail. They are a delightful couple, aren't they!

P.S. What a nice guy Sam must be! To allow his wife to go down with him.

Trees Alpha 6 Re-Trial

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/10967191/Couple-claimed-fake-bomb-detector-could-even-find-Madeleine-McCann.html

I will update as further reports are received.

This is a retrial as the Jury was unable to decide last time around. We had thought that this was due back in May, but seems to have been delayed for some unknown reason. Probably best not to make any detailed comment at this stage as would not want to stymie the proceedings with anything potentially prejudicial. Will just say for now that hope for the right outcome!

UPDATE 1900 15 July

I regret to have to inform you that the trial has apparently been postponed due to the Judge falling ill. We can only hope that the delay is not too long, as we are keen to see justice is done. If we receive any further news we will of course try to let you know as soon as possible.

UPDATE 0800 28 July

Just a quickie to let you know that the trial picked up last week from where it left off following the Judge falling ill. We will keep an eye out for any media reports, and for the result.