THE ROYAL COURT has sent out a strong message to the international community that Guernsey will not tolerate money laundering after jailing a former company director in the first clear case of its kind.

‘Overwhelming’ evidence was said to have to led to yesterday’s landmark ruling which saw Roger Taylor, 61, sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison for being found guilty of nine separate charges following a 10-day trial in December.

Judge Russell Finch (pictured) said that any examples of fraudulent activity must be seen to be dealt with robustly, adding that Guernsey was a well-regarded jurisdiction that would not tolerate this kind of behaviour.

Advocate John Greenfield said his client was aware he was ‘staring down the barrel of a custodial sentence’ but asked the Jurats to show leniency and consider a community service order. Taylor had denied laundering a total of $87,000 between October 2002 and April 2003.

• Read the full story in the Guernsey Press. See below for subscription details.