A bench warrant was issued yesterday for the arrest of a director of the State's biggest cosmetic surgery group after it was alleged that he had tried to intimidate a witness in a case being prepared against him.
Mr Jeffrey Burton (50), a British national, is facing a charge of having practised as a director of Advanced Cosmetic Surgery while an undischarged bankrupt. The company has five clinics in Ireland - in Dublin, Galway, Cork and Belfast - at which it has carried out more than 7,000 surgeries since 1997.
Mr Burton was arrested on Monday at Dublin Airport when he tried to enter the State from the UK. He was detained overnight at the Bridewell Garda station and was charged at the Bridewell court on Tuesday morning. He was granted bail and was ordered to reside at one of two named address in Ireland or the UK. It is understood that he travelled back to the UK shortly after that court appearance.
However, on Wednesday the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement became aware that Mr Burton had allegedly tried to intimidate a witness. A garda working on behalf of the ODCE yesterday outlined the intimidation allegations at a sitting of the Bridewell court and a bench warrant was issued for the arrest of Mr Burton. It is understood that he allegedly tried to intimidate a creditor during a phone conversation.
The Irish authorities cannot arrest Mr Burton while he is still out of the jurisdiction. He could be arrested when he returns to Ireland for a scheduled court appearance next month.
Mr Burton has been the subject of a qualification order since July 1995, which does not expire until July 2003. Under UK law, a company director can be disqualified from practising if the police suspect a fraud, for "general misconduct whilst running a company", if a director knowingly continues to trade while insolvent, or for "breaches of the filing requirements, as specified in the Companies Act".
Records at the UK Companies Office show that one of the firms Mr Burton was associated with, Morcol Ltd, is now dissolved.
At the Irish Companies Office, his Irish address is listed as Malahide Marina, Dublin. Records at the Irish Companies Office show that he is a director of Advanced Cosmetic Surgery. At various other times he was director of three other companies. One of those companies, a "human health activities" firm, Laragen Ltd, was dissolved. He is listed as a director of Biotech Direct Ltd, a "cosmetic and toilet articles" retail group, and of Ruthar Ltd, a "medical practice activities" company.
Mr Burton acquired the clinics of the Transform Group, with business partner Ms Halina Ashdown-Shiels, in 1997 and established Advanced Cosmetic Surgery. It provides surgical and non-surgical treatments, including botox, facelifts and breast implants. The company has declined to comment on the investigation, saying that the matter is in the hands of its solicitor.
