Two men involved in an elaborate scam to rake in almost £3 million of taxpayers’ cash have been handed suspended prison sentences.

Simon Fitch masterminded the swindle, which centred around former Paddock Wood firm International Controlled Atmosphere (ICA) and targeted Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) funds designed to boost rural communities in Kent.

ICA won nine Rural Development Scheme handouts to carry out cold storage work on farms between 2015 and 2017.

Under the grant, farmers must provide quotes from two independent companies, as well as their preferred contractor, to help ensure a level playing field.

A Defra probe uncovered Fitch invented fake quotes from numerous firms at higher rates in an attempt to net £2.7m in grant money.

It meant ICA could then undercut the bogus competition and won the Government handouts.

The scheme unravelled when Defra investigator Susie Toddington probed the companies, who confirmed they had not drawn up the quotations.

In February, a jury by majority ruled Robin Turney was involved in the scam alongside Fitch by finding him guilty of knowingly or recklessly furnishing false or misleading information, but he was acquitted of a charge of supplying articles for use in fraud.

Fitch had admitted fraud at an earlier hearing.

At Canterbury Crown Court, Fitch, 47, of Old Hadlow Road in Tonbridge, was given a two-year prison sentence suspended for two years after admitting making and supplying articles for use in fraud.

Turney, 41, of Henley-in-Arden, Warwickshire, received a 15-month prison sentence for knowingly or recklessly furnishing false or misleading information, also suspended for two years.

A third man, former ICA director Andrew Wills, was previously acquitted by majority jury verdict at Canterbury Crown Court following a three-week trial.

ICA fell into administration in 2017 after more than a century, with the loss of 74 jobs.

The company built cold stores for vegetables, prepared meals, bakery, processed meat and drinks - and also served the pharmaceutical and drug manufacturing industries. Defra released no money to the firm after becoming suspicious of corruption.

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