New fraud sentencing guidelines published

New fraud sentencing guidelines have been published (they can be found here) and will take effect from 1 October 2014. The new guidelines include conspiracy to defraud and cheating the public revenue. They assess seriousness and culpability in a slightly more detailed fashion then the existing guidelines. There is no distinction between conspiracy to defraud and section 1 Fraud Act 2006 offences thereby recognising that most prosecutors have not followed the guidance of the Attorney-General on charging fraud offences. The starting point for a category 1 (£500,000 or more) high culpability offence is 7 years.