VICTIMS of one of the country's biggest banking frauds could be in line for a significant compensation package.

Last Thursday a trial into dodgy banking practices at HBOS in Reading saw six people jailed for their part in a £245m loan scam.

Consultant David Mills, 60, bribed HBOS manager Lynden Scourfield, 54, with designer goods, sex parties and "boys' jollies" to exotic locations.

The perks were a reward in exchange for loans which allowed Mills and his associates to profit from high consultancy fees.

Now Lloyds Banking Group (LBG), who owns HBOS, will review all customer cases which may have been affected by the dodgy dealings.

"Customer cases will be considered afresh in light of all relevant evidence including new evidence that emerged during the trial," said a Lloyds statement.

"Since the investigation began in 2010, it was important that the group did not do or say anything that could subsequently prejudice the trial.

"The group deeply regrets that the criminal actions have caused such distress for a number of HBOS business customers."

Lloyds, who took over the bank after the frauds took place, will appoint an independent third party as part of the review.

The statement continued: "Lloyds Banking Group will contact all those customers they have identified as potentially affected by the criminal activities and provide redress if appropriate.

Reading Chronicle:

"Whilst this should result in all these customers being contacted proactively, any customer who believes they may have been affected can also raise concerns direct with LBG."

At the Southwark Crown Court sentencing many victims of the fraud, some of whom lost their companies, livelihoods and their homes because of the scam, sat in the public gallery.

Among them were Paul and Nikki Turner, from Cambridge, who fought to have the fraud recognised after their publishing company Zenith was run into the ground.

David Mills, of Todenham, Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire, was sentenced to 15 years for conspiracy to corrupt, four counts of fraudulent trading and conspiracy to conceal criminal property.

Lynden Scourfield, of Whitton Avenue West, Greenford, Middlesex, was sentenced to 11 years and three months after admitting one count of conspiracy to corrupt, four counts of fraudulent trading, and a single charge of conspiracy to conceal criminal property on August 12 2016.

Mark Dobson, 56, of Brayfield Terrace, London, was sentenced to four and a half years for conspiracy to corrupt, and conspiracy to conceal criminal property.

Alison Mills, 51, who also played a major role in the corruption and was jailed for three and a half years.

Michael Bancroft, 73, was jailed for 10 years for conspiracy to corrupt, three counts of fraudulent trading and conspiracy to conceal criminal property.

John Cartwright, 72, who worked at the same firm Bancroft, was also jailed for three-and-a-half years for helping facilitate the fraud.

One other defendant, Jonathan Cohen, was acquitted at the trial.