Store fraud suspect left upset after trial halted

A FORMER Tesco executive on trial for fraud has said he is “devastated” that the case was thrown out because he had a heart attack.

Carl Rogberg, 51, was standing trial alongside former colleagues Chris Bush, 51, and John Scouler, 49, at Southwark Crown Court.

All three were accused of failing to correct inaccurately recorded income figures for Tesco which were published to auditors, other employees and the wider market.

The case, which began in September, is believed to have cost the taxpayer more than £5m, with 31 days of evidence and 72 days in court.

It was plagued by delays and finally collapsed on Monday after Rogberg was rushed to hospital.

Rogberg said he was desperate for the trial to continue in his absence and had waived his right to attend.

Speaking outside court, his lawyer Neil O’May said: “Mr Rogberg is devastated at the news that the trial has been aborted.

“He was always very anxious that the jury should be allowed to reach its verdicts and is desperately sorry that they were prevented from doing so.”

The Serious Fraud Office is considering if the case should go to retrial, with the earliest possible start date being in September this year.

Judge Deborah Taylor was due to begin summing up on Monday but instead discharged the jury, thanking them for their patience.

“In the circumstances it would not be right or proper to continue with this trial and therefore I am discharging you from further dealing with this case,” she said.

“It has been a long period and I know it must be quite frustrating for you not to come to a conclusion at the end of all your hard work during the course of this trial.”

A decision on if the case will go to retrial is expected on March 2.