UK School Director Admits to Stealing $5 Million, Wife Faces Trial

Nadeem Sarwar, 50, the former director and trustee of Cardiff Sixth Form College, has admitted to stealing approximately £5 million (over $5 million USD) between February 2008 and October 2016. His wife, Yasmin Sarwar, 48, who founded the £70,000-a-year institution, is scheduled to face trial next week on charges related to theft and fraud totaling more than £5 million during the same period.

Cardiff Sixth Form College, known for its high A-level results, was established by Mrs. Sarwar in 2004. The school attracts students from around the world, with annual fees exceeding £30,000 for day students and over £70,000 for boarding students. The college reportedly has more than 300 students, including pupils from countries such as Albania and China.

Sarwar and a colleague, Ragu Sivapalan, 41, entered their guilty pleas at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court. Sivapalan pleaded guilty to providing misleading information in an auditor's report between January 2013 and July 2016. Both men have been granted conditional bail and are awaiting sentencing.

Judge Celia Hughes cautioned Sarwar that he faced a "substantial chance" of imprisonment. The case has brought scrutiny to the financial operations of the highly-ranked private college.