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The Office of Fair Trade (OFT) closed the criminal cartel case.

* Decrease in appeals on November 14, 2008: Whittle 2.5 years, Allison 2 years, Brammar 20 months.

This case is the first lawsuit filed under Article 188 of the Enterprise Act of 2002 (EA02), which entered into force in June 2003.

The three defendants and other defendants participated in a cartel operating in the marine hose market, which is a specialized market for the production and supply of marine hoses used to carry petroleum and petroleum products in and out of tankers.

The cartel arrangement existed before the implementation of EA02 in June 2003 and continued until the defendant was arrested in May 2007.

Peter Whittle was hired as the "coordinator" of the cartel. David Brammar and Bryan Allison both work for Dunlop Oil and Marine Ltd. Allison is the managing director and Brammar reports directly to him.

The proceedings in the United Kingdom began in December 2007, when the defendant was arrested and charged, and finally the Westminster Honorary Recorder HHJ Rivlin QC hearing was held in the Southwark Royal Court.

On July 1, 2008, HHJ Rivlin QC heard about the forfeiture procedure under the Proceeds of Crime Act of 2002. Brammar and Whittle were ordered to pay £366,354 and £649,636 respectively, or face further imprisonment (Whittle for four years and Brammar for three years).

All three defendants subsequently appealed their verdicts, which were heard in the collegiate bench on October 29, 2008, and an approved verdict was issued on November 14.

More information can be found on the National Archives website.

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