A Wolverhampton-based pharmacist has been convicted of fraudulently applying for COVID-19 relief grants by submitting falsified information.
Sundip Gill, a registered pharmacist, operates four businesses in Wolverhampton: Collateral, Your Pharmacy First in Fallings Park, Low Hill Pharmacy, and Fallings Park Pharmacy. He also serves as a director for two pharmaceutical companies, Sync Chem Ltd and Collateral Ltd.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the UK government introduced grants to support local businesses. The City of Wolverhampton Council supplemented this initiative with its ‘Relight Programme,’ offering grants to help businesses enhance their premises and improve carbon efficiency. Eligible businesses could receive up to £5,000 per successful application, provided they submitted two comparable quotations for the proposed improvements.
Gill submitted eight applications under the Relight Programme, potentially securing a total of £40,000. However, discrepancies in the provided quotations prompted the council’s Counter Fraud Team to investigate further. The investigation revealed that Gill had submitted fabricated quotations to support his applications.
Consequently, Gill faced 18 charges under the Fraud Act 2006, while Sync Chem Ltd and Collateral Ltd were each charged with six related offenses. Despite denying the allegations, Gill was found guilty on all counts. On February 21, 2025, Dudley Magistrates Court sentenced him to a 20-week prison term, suspended for 12 months, and mandated 200 hours of unpaid community service within the same period. He was also ordered to pay £3,000 in costs and a £128 victim surcharge.
Sync Chem Ltd received a £12,000 fine, £2,500 in costs, and a £190 victim surcharge, while Collateral Ltd was fined £6,000, with additional costs of £2,500 and a £190 victim surcharge.
During sentencing, District Judge Graham Wilkinson remarked, “You have been convicted for being fully involved in fraud and your attempts to exploit a system to assist legitimate businesses.” He further noted Gill’s lack of remorse.
Councillor Louise Miles, the council’s Cabinet Member for Resources, stated, “The Relight Programme was designed to support local businesses through, and to recover from, the COVID-19 pandemic, and not to be abused in the way that it was by Sundip Gill.” She emphasized the council’s zero-tolerance policy towards public sector fraud, highlighting its detrimental impact on society and public services.
This case underscores the importance of vigilance and integrity in the administration and application of public funds, especially those intended to aid businesses during challenging times.
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