Lewin jailed following election trial

The man in charge of an ill fated campaign to get chef Kevin Woodford elected has been jailed.

Charles "Buster” Lewin has been sent to prison for three and a half years for his involvement in the 2010 Douglas East by-election.

Deemster David Turner delivered his verdict at Douglas Courthouse this afternoon.

Lewin had pleaded guilty to three counts of election fraud - including conspiracy to affect legal purposes by improper means, conspiracy to steal and conspiracy to forge a document - at the end of a seven week trial which ended in October. 

Sentencing him Deemster Turner said the 57-year-old was a forceful and determined character who was able to overwhelm and manipulate.

Two other people found guilty of conspiring to secure proxy votes in the by-election  - Kerry Louise Rothwell and Gail Rosemary Corrin – were both handed 18 month sentences which have been suspended for two years.