A TRIAL date has been set for a mother and son who are facing a number of fraud offences and possessing criminal property.

Both are accused of four offences – including three of fraud – allegedly committed between December 2018 and July 2020, including false VAT returns worth more than £100,000.

Antony Gribbin, 43, and Elizabeth Gribbin, 75, both of Leaventhorpe Hall in Thornton Road, Thornton, appeared at Bradford Crown Court today for a plea and trial preparation hearing. Both deny all charges against them.

Judge Ahmed Nadim told them their trial will take place on October 31, 2022 at Bradford Crown Court.

Along with allegedly claiming £100,000 in VAT repayments, they also stand accused of sending a false invoice to HMRC, possessing more false invoices, and attempting to conceal criminal cash by transferring it between bank accounts.

The VAT claims relate to Vale Farms Limited, a horse stables at which Elizabeth Gribbin was a director and secretary until resigning on January 14. The firm entered administration on June 30, 2020.

The offences they both deny are:

On March 12, 2020, with intent to deceive, produced a return for the purposes of the Value Added Tax Act 1994 which was false in a material particular; namely produced and furnished a false invoice to Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs.

Both pleaded not guilty to a charge of between August 12, 2018, and April 1, 2020, had in your possession or under your control an article, namely false invoices for use in the course of or in connection with a fraud, for use in the course of or in connection with a fraud.

Both pleaded not guilty to a charge of between September 6, 2018, and May 20, 2020, with intent to deceive, sent a return for the purposes of the Value Added Tax Act 1994 which was false in a material particular, namely submitted eight false Value Added Tax 100 returns to HMRC in relation to Vale Farms Limited Ltd claiming repayments to the value of £100,649.57 to which the aforesaid business was not entitled to.

Anthony Gribbon denied a charge of acquire/use/possess criminal property, between December 5, 2018 and July 2, 2020 at Bradford acquired, used or had possession of criminal property, namely a quantity of money transferred or deposited into his bank accounts.

Elizabeth Gribbon pleaded not guilty to a charge of concealing/disguise/convert/transfer/remove criminal property between December 5, 2018 and July 2, 2020.