Suffolk: Warrant issued for fraudster farmer's arrest

Wayne Parker, who now lives at Hazel Grove, Feltham, was due to have been sentenced at Ipswich Crown Court on Tuesday, February 7.

Judge Nicola Talbot-Hadley issued a warrant for his arrest after he failed to attend the hearing.

Parker was initially due to have been sentenced in January but on that occasion the hearing was adjourned after the court heard he was undergoing hospital tests.

Parker was convicted of fraud in October after the court heard he had issued cheques for thousands of pounds that bounced on accounts which only contained a few pennies or which were empty.

Parker, who used to live in Suffolk, denied participating in a fraudulent business with intent to defraud creditors by incurring debts but was convicted by a jury after a three-week trial.

Nadia Silver, prosecuting for Suffolk Trading Standards, claimed that Parker bought goods on credit and on the goodwill of suppliers and assured them he was a person of good standing who would pay what he owed.

Following Parker’s conviction, Graham Crisp, Head of Suffolk Trading Standards, said: “During this time, he racked up an astounding £765,121 of debt with his victims, many of whom were small business owners themselves who faced financial hardship as a direct result of Parker’s actions leaving them significantly out of pocket.

Cllr Andrew Reid (Image: Charlotte Bond)

Cllr Andrew Reid, Cabinet Member for Public Health and Public Protection, added: “Wayne Parker knew full well that he did not have the funds to pay off his debts, but this did not stop him from making more and more purchases, from livestock to luxury cars.

"Even once declared bankrupt, he continued to lie to suppliers, taking advantage of their trust and good faith in him without any thought to the consequences."