Keltbray managers jailed for accepting bribes

Four people have been sent to prison for corruption within the demolition industry.

At Southwark Crown Court, Arben Hysa was convicted of bribing three Keltbray site managers to secure labour supply contracts for London-based Tony Demolition Workers Ltd worth £15m.

Bribes totalling more than £600,000 were paid by Hysa between 2012 and 2018 to three Keltbray managers: Michael McCarthy, Simon Lacey, and John Burke.

The Keltbray three were jailed for receiving the bribes, which represented a ‘breach of trust’ in respect of their obligations to their employer Keltbray. 

Hysa, Burke and McCarthy were all sentenced to three and half years in prison; Lacey was sentenced to two years.

Andrew Cant from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said: “Corruption in the construction industry distorts competition between companies and makes the UK a less attractive marketplace for domestic and foreign investors. McCarthy, Lacey, and Burke ignored the rules in respect of their obligation to act in the interests of their employer Keltbray when dealing with external contractors by accepting significant sums of money from Arben Hysa.  The CPS will now commence confiscation proceedings in order to reclaim the ill-gotten gains of the defendants’ crimes.”

A Keltbray spokesperson said:  “Following the crown court’s sentencing yesterday of three former Keltbray employees for corruption, Keltbray firmly welcomes the decisive outcome and the clear message it sends about accountability and justice.

“Keltbray was a direct victim of these individuals’ serious breaches of trust during their employment between 2012 and 2018. Their actions were a gross violation of the responsibilities entrusted to them, and we are dismayed by their misconduct. Keltbray fully supported the authorities throughout the extensive investigation and judicial process, and the severity of the sentences rightly reflects the gravity of their offences. Keltbray thanks the CPS for their action in this case.

“This verdict upholds the principles enshrined in Keltbray’s code of conduct and demonstrates the critical importance of our zero-tolerance approach, including the immediate dismissal of those involved at the time. Now that justice has been served, we are resolute in continuing our commitment to promoting the highest standards of integrity, ethics, and professionalism across every part of our organisation.”