Man accused of LFT offence fails to turn up to court 

40-year-old’s co-accused appear before Magistrates

A Douglas man accused of fraudulently obtaining Covid tests from the Isle of Man Government has failed to turn up to court.

Stephen Joseph Keig, of Princes Avenue, was due to appear before Magistrates at Douglas Courthouse today (10 November).

The 40-year-old has been charged with fraud by false representation between 15 August and 11 October last year.

The delivery driver allegedly placed fraudulent orders for LFT tests in a bid to make a gain for himself, or to cause loss to another, contrary to the Fraud Act.

He’s also been charged with nine other offences including possessing indecent images of children, conspiring to commit perjury, possession of offensive weapons and theft.

Magistrates agreed to issue a warrant for his arrest which is not backed with bail.

Two other people who are charged with committing fraud by false representation, alongside Mr Keig, did appear in court.

Thirty-seven-year-old Laura Jessie Ann Corkill, of Kepple Road in Douglas, has been charged with committing the offence between 21 August and 11 October.

Thirty-nine-year-old Lucy Alison Randle-Heslop, of Ballabrooie Avenue in Douglas, is charged with fraud by false representation between 15 August and 11 October 2021.

She’s also been accused, alongside Mr Keig, of conspiring to commit perjury – an offence which can only be tried at the Court of General Gaol Delivery.

Committal proceedings to that court are due to take place for Mr Keig and Miss Randle-Heslop on 5 January.

The trio are due to appear again in court, on the fraud charge, on 1 December.