A businessman has been jailed for more than four years after hiding assets, illegally acting as a company director, and obtaining over £100,000 in credit while still subject to bankruptcy restrictions.
Helim Miah, 46, of Lansdowne Road, was made bankrupt in 2006 owing £12.3 million. He was disqualified from acting as a company director for 13 years. Because of failing to cooperate with the Insolvency Service, he could not be discharged from his bankruptcy in 2007 or be released from his debts. He therefore continued to be restricted from forming new companies and obtaining credit.
Despite this, Miah: - Used £130,000 from a company account to help buy a house in Cardiff. - Set up and ran companies while banned from doing so. - Took out loans, credit cards and overdrafts totalling well over £100,000, including finance for a car.
He pleaded guilty to multiple offences and was sentenced at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court on 24 July to four years and eight months in prison, along with a new 10-year director disqualification.
The Insolvency Service said the case showed the serious consequences of ignoring bankruptcy law.
The government has launched its Small Business Plan which it believes will help small businesses to grow and encourage entrepreneurs to start businesses.
From 18 November 2025, identity verification will become a legal requirement for all company directors and people with significant control (PSCs). This is part of a wider reform under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, and it’s set to impact millions of individuals connected to UK companies.