Financial adviser jailed for 11 years after £2m fraud

Timothy ‘Paul' Barnes, 68, of Charland Court, Droitwich, last September pleaded guilty to 34 counts of fraud by false representation, three counts of make/supply article for use in fraud and two counts of fraud by abuse of position. Last Friday (19 June), at Worcester Crown Court, Barnes was sentenced to 11 years in prison. Thirty-four of Barnes' victims were individuals who he approached for short-term "loans", ultimately totalling £1.75m. The fraudster initially, in November 2022, approached people he knew for the funds, under the pretence he needed them for either an inheritance...