A COURT case involving a suspected fraud involving the administration of property grants in Pembroke and Pembroke Dock is expected soon following recent police interviews with suspects.

At the May 4 meeting of the county council’s Audit Committee in County Hall, CID officer DCI Anthony Griffiths said a full investigation had started in September 2014, with 12 suspects interviewed under caution during the course of the investigation.

Members heard several suspects had been interviewed on three separate occasions as the investigation, which involved a specialist expert witness, and fraud and financial crime team members, progressed.

“Last week we carried out a third suspect interview on one individual; I’m satisfied we ready to refer to the Crown Prosecution Service. I fully expect this to end up in a criminal court,” said DCI Griffiths.”

He said more than one suspect had been interviewed on more than three occasions, but stressed none of them were county council employees.

“September 2014 to now is a considerable amount of time, we have dedicated considerable resources to it; we wanted to make sure we do it step-by-step and do it properly. Yes, it has taken some time but investigations like this often do.

“We have to make sure we do everything possible for a fair trial in the criminal court, I really can’t go into details of the evidence.”

He said no arrests had been made during the investigations due to the police taking a softly-softly approach.

“We use the least amount of force to obtain our evidence; taking people’s liberty away is too much force. I’m satisfied we have taken any means needed to take the investigation forward.”

Councillor Jacob Williams pressed for a timescale, with DCI Griffiths replying: “We’d expect it to be quite quickly; the last suspect interview occurred last week, we’re awaiting the relevant papers being produced in a relevant format.”