A BANKRUPT Coventry woman has been given a banning order after failing to disclose a large online gaming win.
Susan Holtom has been made subject to a nine year bankruptcy restriction order for failing to reveal to the Official Receiver that she had won £46,100 on an online gaming website.
The money was won during a period that Mrs Holtom was undischarged from bankruptcy while she had a duty to notify the Official Receiver that she had acquired the money, but she failed to do so.
A bankruptcy order was made against Mrs Holtom on October 7 2015 and an investigation by the Insolvency Service found she won the money between July 19 and July 22 last year.
Mrs Holtom then disposed of the winnings between July 19 and August 1 last year and by not disclosing this to the Official Receiver it caused a loss to her creditors.
Mrs Holtom had explained to the Official Receiver leading up to the Court hearing in November 2017 that a third party had access to her online account and that they won the money – but no evidence was provided to the Official Receiver or the Court to verify this.
The Bankruptcy Restriction Order, made by the Court on November 3, means Mrs Holtom will be bound for nine years by the restrictions set out in insolvency law that a bankrupt is subject to until they are discharged.
Bankruptcy normally lasts for 12 months, but Mrs Holtom will now not be discharged until 2026.
In addition, she cannot manage or control a company during this period without leave of the court.
Commenting on the case, the Official Receiver, Kevin Read at the Insolvency Services said:
“The Insolvency Service always looks very closely at individuals who demonstrate dishonesty and takes action where wrongdoing is uncovered.”
