Fraudulent designer behind bars

A Sydney fashion designer has been sentenced to a minimum of 12
months in weekend jail after being convicted of fraud.
Myles Jonathan West, who pleaded guilty to five fraud charges, wrote more
than $260,000 worth of valueless cheques, embarking on an extravagant
spending spree both here and overseas.
West, whose Private Collection label specialised in plus-sized clothing
for women, splurged more than $40,000 on air fares, accommodation and a
series of shopping trips in London, Hong Kong and Sydney.
According to a report in The Sunday Telegraph late last month, the
designer wrote dozens of cheques from an empty account and paid them into
a current account. He then drew down more than $66,000 from the new
account for either himself, friends of colleagues.
Unwilling to stop there, West went on to spend almost $350,000 in a
credit card spending spree while police were investigating his earlier
bank cheque activities.
West, who boasted an income of $100,000 a year, had reportedly since
scaled down his business operations and extravagant lifestyle, agreeing
to repay more than $66,000 to Westpac Bank, Central Local Court heard.
West's application to be dealt with under mental health laws was rejected
by Magistrate Hugh Dillon, noting that the designer suffered from a
psychological disorder "tyDillon said West was "tyjuggle 15 balls in the air when they only have the ability to keep five
balls in the air".
He said the gravity of West's crimes demanded a jail sentence.
West has also been placed on a two-year good behavior bond.
He joins a growing list of prominent fashion designers serving time
behind bars for crimes ranging from tax evasion to drug cultivation.
First to hit headlines were the owners of the Dolina fashion group who
were jailed for a maximum term of eight-and-a-half years after being
convicted of tax evasion in October last year.
New Zealand label Insidious Fix was also dealt a serious blow after
police discovered a building housing the label's Auckland factory was
being used for growing cannabis. Designer Jason Crawford, who has since
resigned from the company, was remanded in custody for a pre-deposition
hearing on February 16.