# Freeman sentenced to 18 months - Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2006/11/07/freeman-sentenced-18-months/ - Published: 2006-11-07T00:00:00+00:00 - Author: Howard Lake The man at the centre of the Solutions RMC scandal in Scotland has today been sentenced to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty at a previous hearing of offences under the Insolvencies Act 1986. Freeman’s company went into liquidation in 2003 after an investigation found that it had collected £13m in donations, but had given only £1.5m to Breasst Cancer Research (Scotland). He admitted fraudulently removing more than £450,000 from his business before it went bust. At a hearing last Tuesday (31 October) Freeman was given a week to come up with the £362,000 he still owes his creditors. The court heard today that he has repaid most of the money and has arrangements to pay the remainder. Chair of the Institute of Scotland Maureen Harrison said: “Today’s sentencing finally brings complete closure to this matter and the decision will be widely supported by our members and the wider third sector. I can only hope that his time spent behind bars will force Mr Freeman to reflect on the true impact of his actions.” ## Advertisement [⌊Posthub advert. You create the campaign. We'll handle the postal journey. Get started at post-hub.co.uk.⌉](https://fundraising.co.uk/ads/posthub-20261007-300x250/) Negative media coverage of the Solutions RMC scandal and an unrelated investigation into children’s charity Moonbeams saw donations in Scotland plummet and led to the setting up of the Giving Scotland campaign at the end of 2003. * **[Scottish fundraisers receive awards at annual conference](https://fundraising.co.uk/2006/11/08/scottish-fundraisers-receive-awards-annual-conference/)**( 8 November 2006) * **[Registration deadline for non-Scottish charities with 'significant presence'](https://fundraising.co.uk/2006/11/17/registration-deadline-nonscottish-charities-039significant-presence039/)**( 17 November 2006) * **[Charities urge government not to raid Lottery funds for Olympics](https://fundraising.co.uk/2006/11/20/charities-urge-government-not-raid-lottery-funds-olympics/)**( 20 November 2006)