Mr Michael Joseph Doyle Born: 16 April, 1968; and Mrs Belinda Doyle (nee Lanyon) Born: 1 March 1960 of La Connellerie, Sark

On 3 May 2017, the Guernsey Financial Services Commission (“the Commission”) applied to the Royal Court of Guernsey under section 427 of The Companies (Guernsey) Law, 2008, to seek disqualification orders against both Mr and Mrs Doyle from acting as a director of any Guernsey company.

On 16 August 2017, the Bailiff handed down his judgment in which he disqualified both Mr Doyle and Mrs Doyle from acting as company directors for a period of 15 years each, which will run from 16 August 2017 until 3 May 2032.

In support of the disqualification application, the Commission relied upon criminal offences of which Mr and Mrs Doyle were convicted in the Royal Court. On 7 September 2015, the Royal Court sentenced Mr and Mrs Doyle by imposing a total of 7½ years imprisonment on Mr Doyle and 3½ years imprisonment on Mrs Doyle.  In summary, the offences of which Mr and Mrs Doyle were convicted are serious and the sentences were made up as follows:

1. Mr Doyle:

(a) money laundering;

(b) acquiring, possessing and using the proceeds of crime;

(c) converting the proceeds of criminal conduct;

(d) conducting regulated business activities from within the Bailiwick without a licence, contrary to sections 1 and 2(1)(b) of The Regulation of Fiduciaries, Administration Businesses and Company Directors, etc. (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2000; and

(e) perverting the course of justice.

2. Mrs Doyle:

(a) acquiring, possessing and using the proceeds of crime;

(b) converting the proceeds of criminal conduct;

(c) conducting regulated business activities from within the Bailiwick without a licence, contrary to sections 1 and 2(1)(b) of The Regulation of Fiduciaries, Administration Businesses and Company Directors, etc. (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2000; and

(d)  perverting the course of justice.

As explained by the Royal Court, Mr and Mrs Doyle’s past conduct demonstrated a lack of probity, competence and soundness of judgement for fulfulling the responsibilities of an officer of a company; they also conducted regulated business activities within the Bailiwick without a license. Therefore, it was in the public interest that Mr and Mrs Doyle should be disqualified for as long as possible.

The Royal Court also stated that the purpose of a disqualification order is not simply to punish the person concerned but to protect the public.

The Commission welcomes the decision, which will assist in further protecting the public and the reputation of the Bailiwick as a financial centre.