Building surveyor jailed for swindling National Trust out of £1 million

Roger Bryant, a 73-year-old building surveyor, was sentenced to six and a half years in prison for defrauding the National Trust out of over £1 million. His fraudulent activities spanned from January 2008 to October 2013, during which he submitted false invoices for building work that was either incomplete or never performed. The National Trust, believing it was paying for legitimate services from JR Contracting and SB Construction, made 148 payments totaling £1,125,304.86 to accounts controlled by Bryant and his sons. The fraud was uncovered in October 2013 when the Trust's management realized they had never heard of JR Contracting, the supposed major supplier in the area. Upon investigation, it was revealed that Bryant had attempted to mislead authorities by asking individuals to falsely testify about the completion of work. His sons, James and Scott Bryant, were also implicated, with James receiving a four-year sentence and Scott receiving a two-year suspended sentence. The judge described Bryant's actions as audacious and a significant breach of trust, given his responsibility for managing a substantial budget for the charity. The National Trust expressed shock at the betrayal from a trusted employee and emphasized the importance of integrity within their organization. Detective Inspector Adam Bond highlighted the severity of the fraud, noting the impact on a respected charitable organization that plays a crucial role in preserving the country’s heritage. The case underscores the need for vigilance and accountability in charitable organizations to prevent similar abuses of trust in the future.