Dominic Chappell is due to be sentenced this afternoon following a four-day trial in which he was convicted of three charges under the Pensions Act 2004.
The last and short-lived owner of BHS, who bought the retail chain from Sir Philip Green for just £1 in 2015 and was accused of “plundering” it throughout its downfall, was found guilty last month at Brighton Magistrates Court.
Chappell vowed to appeal his conviction, which related to three counts of failing to provide information to The Pensions Regulator over a 10-month period during its investigation into BHS’s collapse, which left a £571 million pension deficit and affected over 22,000 pensions.
The former bankrupt claimed he did “everything and more” to provide information on the case, alleging he was locked out of the BHS headquarters containing the requested documents.
Judge William Ashworth said this defence was “simply not believable”, stating on more than one occasion that he “did not believe the defendant’s account at all”.
The fallout of BHS’ collapse is still being felt across the sector as various former BHS sites still remain vacant, while some pensions remain affected.
Though the Pension Protection Fund (PPF) helped plug huge sums in the deficit, Green also agreed to pay £363 million towards it after a drawn-out tussle with the pensions lifeboat.
Earlier this month, Chappell was handed a £10 million bill from the regulator.
If he does not appeal, an enforcement of the order to pay will be triggered.
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