Tomb Raider Composer Peter Connelly Jailed for Government Loan Fraud

Peter Connelly, the composer behind the soundtracks of three classic Tomb Raider games, has been sentenced to 16 months in prison after being convicted of fraudulently obtaining government-backed financial aid.

Fraud Involving the UK's Bounce Back Loan Scheme

As reported by Eurogamer, the charges stem from Connelly’s misuse of the Bounce Back Loan Scheme, a financial relief program launched by the UK government during the COVID-19 pandemic to help struggling small businesses. The scheme strictly limited applicants to one loan per business.

However, in 2020, Connelly applied for and received two loans by providing false financial information. He initially secured £22,000 from one bank, then applied for a second loan worth £37,000 from another bank, inflating his company’s reported income to qualify.

Claims of Financial Desperation and a Canceled Tomb Raider Project

During the trial, Connelly said he acted out of desperation, trying to sustain his business through the pandemic. He testified that he had taken out personal loans and even sold his car to finance work on a new Tomb Raider soundtrack. Unfortunately, the project was suspended due to the onset of the pandemic.

His company, Peter Connelly Limited, was officially dissolved in 2021, and neither of the loans was repaid.

Legacy in Game Music

Peter Connelly is best known for composing the music for Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation, Chronicles, and The Angel of Darkness. Beyond the Tomb Raider franchise, his audio work extended to high-profile titles such as Watch Dogs, The Crew, and Dead Island 2.