Here are the details of this case.
On 29 September 2020 Richard Paul Hanlon (“Mr Hanlon”) caused Xover Nutrition Ltd (“Xover”) to breach the terms and conditions of the Bounce Back Loan (“BBL”) scheme by overstating its turnover on the BBL application resulting in Xover obtaining more BBL funds than it was entitled to.
In that:
- Under the BBL scheme businesses could apply for a loan of between £2,000 and £50,000 subject to a maximum of up to 25% of turnover.
- The turnover figure was self-certified by the application.
- The turnover figure required was that for the calendar year 2019.
- The business (and any wider group of which it was part, defined by having a holding company at the top of the structure) should not already have been in the process of applying for or be in receipt of a BBL.
- Xover was incorporated and commenced trading on 10 January 2018.
- Accounts for Xover for the year ending 31 January 2019 and 31 January 2020 and show turnover of £38,995 and £120,901 respectively.
- On 29 September 2020 Mr Hanlon made a BBL application in the amount of £50,000 on behalf of Xover, declaring its turnover for 2019 was £200,000.
- Mr Hanlon signed the BBL agreement on 01 October 2020.
- On 01 October 2020 Xover received the BBL funds of £50,000 into its bank account.
- Based on the year ending 31 January 2020 accounts, Xover was entitled to a maximum BBL of £30,225.
- By making an application to borrow £50,000 Xover received £19,775 more than it was entitled to.
- Xover entered liquidation on 09 May 2024 with total liabilities of £74,163, of which £51,163 related to the amount owed in respect of the BBL including interest charged.
