Harrow’s Abigail Smith and school admission case
Thursday 04 June 2009 by Jonathan Rayner
Who? Abigail Smith, 26, assistant solicitor, prosecutions, at the London Borough of Harrow.
Why is she in the news? Acting in what is believed to be the first prosecution under the Fraud Act 2006 for an alleged schools admissions fraud. On 29 May Mrinal Patel, 41, of Streatfield Road, Harrow, pleaded not guilty before Harrow magistrates of using a false address to apply for a place at an over-subscribed school. The case was adjourned until 8 July for a district judge to hear the legal arguments.
Thoughts on the case: ‘Fraudulent applications to popular schools are a real and growing problem in Harrow and other areas.
‘This is a test case asking the court to see if the Fraud Act applies. [The prosecution case is that] there is gain and loss here. A child could have fraudulently gained a place at a school to which he was not entitled and another child could have lost a place to which he was entitled. We’ll know more after the committal hearing on 8 July.’
Dealing with the media: ‘I’m still quite new to the law and this is my first experience of media attention. Coverage has been even-handed, I would say, including on the various websites where people have posted comments for and against. We’ve even been filmed by the BBC.’
Why become a lawyer? ‘Variety of work.’
Career highlight? ‘This case with all the publicity.’
Career low point? ‘I’ve wracked my brains and honestly don’t think I made any massive blunders during my training contract at Milton Keynes Council!’
