FIVE men convicted of bribery have been ordered to pay back more than £365k to Cardiff Council.
In November 2023, Andrew Barnett, Warren Roberts and Cesario Debreau were jailed following an investigation into corruption at Bessemer Close Commercial Recycling Centre, a waste management facility run by Cardiff City Council.
Josh Hayman and Anthony Miles received suspended prison sentences for their part in the illegal activity.
Now following a Proceeds of Crime Act hearing at Cardiff Crown Court, all five have been ordered to pay back the money they earned from their crimes.
Each has three months to pay the following amount or risk being sent to jail:
- Warren Roberts, 57, from Penylan – £252,027.40.
- Andrew Barnett, 54, from Penarth – £42,894.47.
- Cesario Debreau , 36, from Pentywn – £42,894.47.
- Anthony Miles, 58, from Penarth – £17,005.95.
- Josh Hayman, 33, from Tredegar – £9,327.93.
The total amount of £364,150.22 will be returned to Cardiff Council.
Detective Constable Joseph Lewis, from South Wales Police, said: “South Wales Police’s financial investigation in this case was detailed and proactive, leading to a significant amount of assets belonging to the defendants being identified, frozen and recovered.
“This was a complex process that involved the engagement of a forensic accountant to enable us to ascertain the value of the benefit to both Warren Roberts and the council staff he paid bribes to.
“This outcome demonstrates our determination to go after the proceeds of crime and stop those involved in corrupt activity from benefitting financially, even after they have been convicted.”
The corrupt activity came to Cardiff Council’s attention when a whistle blower alleged corruption within the Waste Management Division. It was alleged that Warren Roberts, the controller of waste disposal company A&T Waste Management, was paying bribes to Cardiff Council staff to misrepresent the type or amount of waste being deposited at the site to reduce A&T’s billed amount.
The convictions, believed to be the first obtained by South Wales Police under the new Bribery Act, followed a complex and protracted investigation which began in 2017.
A council spokesperson said: “This incident represents a theft from the taxpayers of Cardiff, and it’s important to taxpayers that justice is served.
“In response to this incident, we have conducted a comprehensive review of our Waste Management Division and implemented a series of robust measures to prevent any similar occurrences in the future.
“We will not tolerate any form of corruption and remain dedicated to safeguarding taxpayer interests and upholding the integrity of our operations.”
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