The official pensions watchdog has put former BHS boss Dominic Chappell on trial in Brighton.
A four-day trial opened at Brighton Magistrates’ Court this morning (Monday 8 January), with Chappell facing three charges of neglecting or refusing to provide information to the Pensions Regulator when required.
Chappell, 51, of Clenston Manor, Winterbourne Clenston, Blandford Forum, Dorset, was in charge of Retail Acquisitions, which bought the troubled store chain for £1 from Sir Philip Green almost three years ago.
Just over a year later, in April 2016, BHS went into administration with a £570 million black hole in its pension fund.
Sir Philip has since agreed to pay more than £360 million towards the shortfall.
But the closure of the business put 11,000 people out of a job, including dozens at the Brighton branch in Churchill Square, and affected almost 20,000 pension scheme members.
District Judge William Ashworth told former bankrupt Chappell that he had to sit in the dock today, rather than with his lawyers.
Pensions Regulator lawyer Alex Stein opened the case for the prosecution.
Chappell, represented by Michael Levy, denies the charges.
The trial continues.
