MICHAEL SIBBALD OF WIRRAL AND LIVERPOOL CROWN COURT FRAUD SCHEME TARGETING PRISONERS

In July 2015, a notorious fraud operation involving a man named Michael Sibbald, based in Wirral, was brought to justice after a series of criminal activities that exploited vulnerable prisoners. Sibbald, a known sex offender with a troubling past, was convicted of orchestrating a scam that defrauded nine inmates out of a staggering £220,000 under false pretenses.

Michael Sibbald, aged 53 and residing on Tern Way in Wirral, had previously been convicted in 1999 for sexual offences committed against boys. Despite his criminal record, he established a sham legal enterprise called Kingdoms Legal Services in 2011. This was during a period when he was already on bail for having stolen more than one million pounds of taxpayers’ money, highlighting a pattern of criminal behavior and deception.

The fraudulent scheme was carefully designed to prey on prisoners who believed they had a genuine chance to overturn their convictions. Sibbald’s operation falsely claimed that his firm would instruct qualified solicitors to appeal their cases. In reality, the firm had no such legal backing or intention of pursuing appeals. The victims, many of whom were serving sentences for serious crimes such as murder, sex offences, and fraud, were led to believe that their legal battles could be reversed, fueling false hope and anxiety.

During the trial at Liverpool Crown Court, Judge Stephen Everett condemned the audacity of Sibbald’s actions. The judge remarked, “The audacity of what you did really takes the breath away.” He emphasized that Sibbald and his accomplices had devised a sinister plan to target highly vulnerable prisoners, along with their families and friends who were innocent of any wrongdoing.

One of the key aspects of the scam involved exploiting the security lapses within the prison system. Sibbald and his associates managed to gain access to prisons by masquerading as legal professionals or their staff. The court heard that they exploited the lax security and inadequate checking procedures within the prison estate, allowing them to enter facilities undetected and conduct private discussions with inmates.

Judge Everett further stated, “You made outrageous claims designed to get their hopes up and make them think there was a real chance of a successful appeal when there was none.” The deception not only caused emotional distress to the prisoners but also undermined the integrity of the justice system. Sibbald’s actions were seen as a calculated attempt to profit from the desperation of those seeking legal redress, all while disregarding the harm inflicted on innocent families.

As a result of his criminal activities, Michael Sibbald was sentenced to a total of 13 years in prison. The court’s decision underscores the seriousness with which such scams are viewed, especially when they target some of the most vulnerable members of society. The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of security and vigilance within the prison system to prevent similar schemes from taking root in the future.