Hobson boss 'didn't know of bribes'

THE finance director of food company Hobson knew nothing about bribes paid for the extension of a £200m-a-year contract to supply the Co-op, Snaresbrook Crown Court has heard.

When accountant Peter Hallett was asked in January 1995 by his chief executive Andrew Regan to write the Hobson company's solicitors a cheque for £4,500, he was told it was on account for work done, not to pay for the formation of two offshore companies to launder two bribes of £1m each.

Hallett said that according to Regan, the 30-month extension to the Co-op contract had been brokered by Ronald Zimet and his company Trellis International. Hallett told the court that Regan asked if he could say Hallett, not Regan, had taken a call from Zimet. 'I allowed this to happen and I'm extremely embarrassed,' Hallett said. 'It was a somewhat stupid gesture of friendship and support.'

Regan, 36, denies stealing £2.4m to secure the contract by paying £1m bribes to Chambers, 56, and his Co-op colleague Allan Green, 57. Both deny corruption.