01 · In plain English
What happened.
The FCA prosecuted Taunton-based Nicholas Harper. He pleaded guilty on 1 September 2025 to encouraging or assisting an offence under the Data Protection Act; following a retrial at Southwark Crown Court a jury on 19 September 2025 acquitted him of conspiracy to defraud and of carrying on regulated activity without FCA authorisation. Harper was fined £100 and ordered to pay a £30 victim surcharge (total £130). The FCA brought the prosecution; no firm was the subject of the enforcement action.
Summarised from the FCA's notice and press reports. The FCA's own text and documents below are the authoritative record.
02 · Enforcement details
What the FCA published.
On 19 September 2025, the Financial Conduct Authority fined Nicholas Harper £130. Nicholas Harper pleaded guilty to encouraging or assisting an offence to be committed in breach of the Data Protection Act. Harper was fined £100 and ordered to pay a £30 victim surcharge for the data protection breach. Source: the FCA's published list of 2025 fines.
03 · Press coverage
How it was reported.
- Individual convicted and fined for data protection breachFinancial Conduct Authority · 29 Oct 2025
- Individual fined for data protection breach and acquitted of fraud offenceFinancial Conduct Authority · 19 Sep 2025
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