'Fingerprints on ballot papers' in electoral fraud case

The case was heard at Derby Crown Court

A Derby man has been given a suspended prison sentence over his involvement in suspected electoral fraud.

Derby Crown Court heard 80-year-old Mohan Singh, of Clarence Road, lied to police about interference by another man with his family's postal ballots.

Fingerprints from the same individual were found on several postal ballot papers from his family.

The votes were for former Derby city councillor Asaf Afzal, who was acquitted of any involvement.

The court heard a rival candidate had seen the man leave Singh's home "with a pile of papers" and post them during the run-up to the Derby City Council elections in 2019.

When the candidate asked Singh what happened, Singh said the man "made us all sign the forms" and "I don't even know who I voted for".

But Singh later falsely claimed to police that the man had "come to inspect damp".

Derby City Council officers intercepted the family's ballot papers and inspected them, finding the man's prints on the front and back of the voting papers as well as the five envelopes.

Investigation 'hindered'

Singh's lies prevented police from investigating the man, the prosecution said, due to legal time limits expiring before his guilty plea.

He previously pleaded guilty to two counts of perverting the course of justice.

On Tuesday, Judge Jonathan Bennett gave him two, concurrent, six-month prison sentences, to be suspended for 12 months and ordered him to pay costs of £2,615.

The judge said: "Elections are an integral part of our democracy.

"It's a fundamental principle that people are able to vote privately and unhindered by anyone... so this was a serious investigation by police and your lies hindered it."

The judge said he had taken Singh's previous good character and age into account when giving him a lighter sentence.

Leaving court, Singh and his daughter declined to comment.