Businessman David Griffiths jailed over animation fraud
A businessman has been jailed for three years for his part in a multimillion-pound fraud.
David Griffiths was accused of dishonestly persuading investors to hand over £14m for animation shows.
The 50-year-old was found guilty of four charges of procuring execution of a valuable security by deception but acquitted of 17 deception counts.
Fellow defendant Simon Drew, 49, of The Grove, Rye, Sussex, was cleared of 24 fraud and deception charges last month.
Griffiths, of New Road, Oreton, in Shropshire, headed an animation company called Inspire GLG, based in Bewdley, Worcestershire.
Birmingham Crown Court heard almost £14m was paid out between 2004 and 2009 but many programmes never made it to air.
A show called The Boblins had some success, with 26 episodes.
Prosecutor Malcolm Morse said investors were told Griffiths had a successful commercial history as a businessman, but in fact the opposite was true.