Father and son ‘paid bribes of £90k to land fire safety contracts’

A father and son promised a “tsunami of cash” as they bribed their way to Hackney council fire safety equipment deals, a court heard.

Yiannakis Polycarpou, 64, and son Costas, 41, allegedly paid £89,367 in 2012 and 2013 to land contracts for emergency lighting and alarms.

It is said they funnelled the money through a sham consultancy company to two council subcontractors, Southwarkcrown court heard.

Prosecutor John Hardy QC told jurors maintenance firm Lakehouse was contracted to upgrade fire safety measures across the borough.

The Polycarpou’s company, Polytech, is said to have received subcontracted work from Lakehouse.

He said: “They paid bribes to two persons ... to maintain that business relationship to their mutual advantage.”

Costas Polycarpou is accused of sending an email to one of the Lakehouse contacts, promising he would be sending a “tsunami of cash”.

The alleged scam was uncovered after the discovery of invoices for work that had not been completed.

Costas Polycarpou, from Hadley Wood in Barnet and Yiannakis Polycarpou, of Edgware, both deny bribery. The trial continues.