Finance convictions

From the Swindon Advertiser, first published Friday 4th Jul 2003.

WILLIAMS TRIAL: CONVICTIONS for forgery, theft, counterfeiting and dishonesty blight the past of businessman Randle Williams.

Jurors heard how Williams has notched up two sets of convictions for deception-based offences and was once dismissed from his post at computer firm Miller Freeman over financial irregularities.

In June 1994 Williams was convicted at Basingstoke Magistrates Court for theft, forgery and counterfeiting with 14 other offences taken into consideration.

Eight years previous to those offences he was convicted at Felixstowe Magistrates Court for dishonesty-related crimes.

Describing himself as "penniless" when he met first met Natalie, Williams said his business dealings had not always been on the straight and narrow.

"I have sailed close to the wind. I have stepped over the line. I have had financial irregularities in the past," he said.

Williams started out his working life as a welder, once working for a firm run by his elder brother Steven.

Joining a professional rock band as a drummer he met future business partner Richard Fearn ­ who was in the rock and pop music scene during the 1970s and 80s.

Returning to welding after his stint in the music business Williams became interested in computers and enrolled on self-taught courses.

Starting off selling and promoting computer systems at London firm Teamer Systems he moved on to other computer-based firms including Abtec and Xitan, based in Southampton.

Getting involved in a venture with Richard Fearn, Williams joined Multimedia Publishing and worked on projects including an electronic version of the Highway Code and TV programme Gladiators.

Moving onto posts at United News and Media and Miller Freeman in London he joined factory software producers Dance Race when the couple moved to Bath in June 1999.

Williams soon became involved in Bath-based internet firm Speedy Duck, which went into liquidation two months before Natalie's death.

The trial continues

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