IT firm 'bribed official in £145,000 council tax fraud'

A corrupt council official took bribes from computer bosses to secure them thousands of pounds of business at inflated prices, a court heard.

Kevin Barry, 52, helped swindle council tax payers in Havering by rigging a bidding war for the IT firm, it is claimed. He allegedly split profits from the 14-month fraud - worth £145,000 - with Essex-based Orbital Solutions, run by Christopher Clarke, 42, John Brett, 66, and Nicholas Stevenson, 33.

"The allegation is that these men gave corrupt payments to Mr Barry to secure orders from him," said prosecutor Jane Bewsey. "In other words, they gave him bribes in return for him placing orders with their company." Clarke and Brett are now standing trial for corruption at Southwark crown court after Stevenson admitted his involvement.

The jury heard how Barry, of Longwick, Basildon, fed them secret council information about rival quotes.

Clarke and Brett, both of Springfield, Chelmsford, deny 10 counts of corruption between 8 July, 1999, and 4 September, 2000. The trial continues.