THE FOUNDER and former principal of a Yorkshire free school has been charged with multiple fraud offences, it has been announced.
Sajid Hussain Raza, who was head teacher at the Kings Science Academy, in Bradford, has been charged with three offences of fraud by abuse of position, three offences of false accounting, two offences of obtaining a money transfer by deception, and one offence of fraud by false representation.
A statement from Mr Raza’s solicitors said he was determined to clear his name regarding allegations in relation to his role at the free school.
Mr Raza was first arrested more than a year ago by West Yorkshire Police.
Julian Briggs, the reviewing lawyer, at the Complex Casework Unit, CPS Yorkshire and Humberside said: “The Crown Prosecution Service has been working closely with West Yorkshire Police in connection with this case.
“Having carefully considered all of the evidence presented to us, we have concluded that there is sufficient evidence to charge Sajid Hussain Raza with a range of offences relating to his involvement with the Kings Science Academy, Bradford, and that it is in the public interest to do so.
“Accordingly I have today authorised West Yorkshire Police to charge Sajid Hussain Raza with three offences of fraud by abuse of position, three offences of false accounting, two offences of obtaining a money transfer by deception, and one offence of fraud by false representation.” He will first appear at Leeds Magistrates’ Court shortly.
A statement from solicitors on behalf of Mr Raza, said: “As specialists in cases of fraud and business crime, Rahman Ravelli Solicitors has been appointed by Mr Raza to defend him against the charges brought today. In order to provide Mr Raza with the strongest and most proactive defence to these charges, we will be examining all of the evidence available and seeking all relevant information. The investigation process has been a difficult period of time for Mr Raza. Now he has been charged, Mr Raza will be working with Rahman Ravelli to try and establish his innocence.”
Mr Raza was first arrested in January of last year. He was later dismissed following a disciplinary investigation by the school into separate matters.
The school has since changed its name to Dixons Kings after joining the Dixons Academy chain.
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