gogledd Posted January 10, 2018 Share Posted January 10, 2018 Former CEO of North Wales Crusaders charged with fraud No further comments from me until the case is completed. Let justice take its course. http://www.leaderlive.co.uk/home/2018/01/10/gallery/former-crusaders-chief-accused-of-fraud-103602/?ut=20180110144135699 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fearnowt Posted January 10, 2018 Share Posted January 10, 2018 I agree, leave the case in court where I belongs. But changing the subject slightly, I have to say I am so disappointed with attitude of the Daily Post towards our club. They ran the story today, and even have video footage of the accused arriving at the magistrates court. What is disappointing is that this is the first time they have mentioned us on their website since John Cookson's heart attack last April. If only they could show a fraction of this interest during the season. http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/ex-crusaders-rugby-league-team-14135158 For all the latest news on North Wales Crusaders, please click on the link below to the new club website. https://www.nwcrusaders.co.uk/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gogledd Posted January 11, 2018 Author Share Posted January 11, 2018 19 hours ago, fearnowt said: I agree, leave the case in court where I belongs. But changing the subject slightly, I have to say I am so disappointed with attitude of the Daily Post towards our club. They ran the story today, and even have video footage of the accused arriving at the magistrates court. What is disappointing is that this is the first time they have mentioned us on their website since John Cookson's heart attack last April. If only they could show a fraction of this interest during the season. http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/ex-crusaders-rugby-league-team-14135158 Absolutely. They cover the troubles the club have been in - from losing the Super League Franchie to players wages being cut but barely mention winning games, reaching the iPRO cup final etc. I have no idea why the media don't think that people are interested in positive news. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshwire13 Posted January 12, 2018 Share Posted January 12, 2018 15 hours ago, gogledd said: Absolutely. They cover the troubles the club have been in - from losing the Super League Franchie to players wages being cut but barely mention winning games, reaching the iPRO cup final etc. I have no idea why the media don't think that people are interested in positive news. Unfortunately the DP and Wales Online are in the WRU's pocket, hence the lack of RL coverage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gogledd Posted January 12, 2018 Author Share Posted January 12, 2018 2 hours ago, welshwire13 said: Unfortunately the DP and Wales Online are in the WRU's pocket, hence the lack of RL coverage. Seems that BBC Wales cover rugby league reluctantly too. We have has some success with S4C and one of our supporters has set up his own local radio show (which also airs online) to cover rugby league. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gogledd Posted February 9, 2018 Author Share Posted February 9, 2018 Update: Amazingly when it's bad news BBC love to splash Crusaders all over their website. Although our ex-CEO was not charged with fraud in relationship to North Wales Crusaders there were problems with the club finances and the Board being unaware of his inappropriate financial activity - directly leading to the financial problems we have had for the last 2 seasons. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-east-wales-43009005 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FearNothing Posted February 10, 2018 Share Posted February 10, 2018 The guy's a k-nob and we're better off without him....onwards and upwards cru....Cru.....CRUSADERS!!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gogledd Posted February 10, 2018 Author Share Posted February 10, 2018 2 hours ago, FearNothing said: The guy's a k-nob and we're better off without him....onwards and upwards Absolutely. Luckily there are enough good people in the Club to make sure we get back to where we should be. Thing are definitely positive Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fearnowt Posted February 10, 2018 Share Posted February 10, 2018 Surprise, surprise, it's in the Daily Post as well. Click on the "Crusaders Rugby League" link at the start of the story and it takes you to a report on......the Northern Rail Bowl Final, 2013. https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/crusaders-chief-rugby-league-fraud-14271078 For all the latest news on North Wales Crusaders, please click on the link below to the new club website. https://www.nwcrusaders.co.uk/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gogledd Posted February 12, 2018 Author Share Posted February 12, 2018 On 2/10/2018 at 8:45 PM, fearnowt said: Surprise, surprise, it's in the Daily Post as well. Click on the "Crusaders Rugby League" link at the start of the story and it takes you to a report on......the Northern Rail Bowl Final, 2013. https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/crusaders-chief-rugby-league-fraud-14271078 Ha ha - just clicked on the link as you suggested to the Northern Rail Bowl report - that picture!!! Andy Moulsdale looks about 16!! But it shows how much interest they take if the only link they have is to a story nearly 5 years old! JT is now having a pre-sentence assessment which suggests he is looking for some sort of 'mental instability' to keep him out of clink. It could backfire and the judge could pass a stricter sentence. I just hope he doesn't get a suspended sentance and does some porridge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fearnowt Posted February 15, 2018 Share Posted February 15, 2018 The Daily Post were one of our main sponsors when the club formed in 2011, but pulled out after a few months. I've often wondered if there was a fallout with JT, which could explain their attitude towards the club and their interest in this case. For all the latest news on North Wales Crusaders, please click on the link below to the new club website. https://www.nwcrusaders.co.uk/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gogledd Posted February 15, 2018 Author Share Posted February 15, 2018 45 minutes ago, fearnowt said: The Daily Post were one of our main sponsors when the club formed in 2011, but pulled out after a few months. I've often wondered if there was a fallout with JT, which could explain their attitude towards the club and their interest in this case. Don't think that's the case - they just have no interest in Rugby League unless there is a juicy bad news story. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fearnowt Posted February 15, 2018 Share Posted February 15, 2018 2 hours ago, gogledd said: Don't think that's the case - they just have no interest in Rugby League unless there is a juicy bad news story. I must admit, that did cross my mind as well. For all the latest news on North Wales Crusaders, please click on the link below to the new club website. https://www.nwcrusaders.co.uk/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fearnowt Posted March 5, 2018 Share Posted March 5, 2018 A former rugby club boss who admitted a £65,000 tickets fraud has been spared jail – hours after appearing on TV show Masterchef. James Hywel Thomas, who was eliminated from the BBC cookery contest on Thursday night, was handed a 22-month prison sentence suspended for two years yesterday. The 42-year-old failed to provide tickets for sporting events, and also admitted a £630 credit card fiddle and abusing his position as chief executive of North Wales Crusaders rugby league club to lease a £30,000 Mercedes car. Judge Peter Heywood told Caernarfon Crown Court the offences had been committed to keep the club afloat. He said: “I have no doubt these are very much out of character. There is no evidence it went to line your own pocket, but from a misguided effort to keep the North Wales Crusaders club afloat after it fell into financial difficulties.” The judge added: “You are a man of previous good character, are genuinely remorseful and ashamed of your conduct. You pleaded guilty at the first opportunity and arrangements have been made to repay. "In these circumstances I can step back from an immediate custodial sentence.” Thomas, of The Green, Gresford, must carry out 200 hours of unpaid community work and pay £1,940 costs and repay the £65,142 within 12 months. Defence barrister Adam Kane QC said the money raised from the fraud had been paid into the Crusaders’ bank accounts. He said Thomas had invested significant sums into the club and had been paying many of the bills himself. “Here is a man who had two generations of QC’s and a distinguished working peer as a father and a grandfather who was a senior police officer,” he added. Between February 2015 and June 2017 Thomas created six fraudulent company names which purported to sell tickets to high profile sporting events, including the Rugby World Cup, Wimbledon and Grand Prix motor racing. Philip Astbury, prosecuting, said: “Payments were made to bank accounts linked to this defendant, either personally or through his position as Crusaders chief executive.” The original Crusaders club went into liquidation and Thomas was “instrumental” in setting up a replacement club in July 2011. Mr Astbury said sometime during 2015 Thomas approached two club directors and tricked them into providing their identification documents. “He claimed the first team coach was to be provided with a Mercedes A Class car but the hire company wished to see relevant identification documents,” he said. “He used the documents to lease a brand new Mercedes E Class, valued at £29,991, for his own personal use. In order to do so he forged the signatures on the hire agreement form.” The third charge related to the misuse of two credit cards held by a friend of Thomas’ wife. The woman had stayed in their home last June and later became aware of seven fraudulent transactions totalling £632, including hotel bookings. Thomas was arrested and interviewed but answered “no comment” to all police questions. He showed no emotion as he listened to Mr Astbury outlining the case against him and during the judge’s sentencing remarks. https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/masterchef-contestant-ex-rugby-boss-14360274 For all the latest news on North Wales Crusaders, please click on the link below to the new club website. https://www.nwcrusaders.co.uk/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fearnowt Posted March 5, 2018 Share Posted March 5, 2018 Also reported in the Daily Mail http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5454035/MasterChef-contestant-avoids-jail-role-65-000-ticket-scam.html For all the latest news on North Wales Crusaders, please click on the link below to the new club website. https://www.nwcrusaders.co.uk/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gogledd Posted March 6, 2018 Author Share Posted March 6, 2018 Well justice certainly didn't get done. I suppose thats what happens when Daddy is a QC and is willing to pay back the £66,000 he defrauded people of. My guess he is arrogant enough to try it again, Obviously has enough brass neck to go on Masterchef. A real shame that all the people who got hoodwinked by this crook, got ripped of for shirt money, never got items delivered and generally got lied to get no just deserts. Our Club eneded up in a masive black hole because the RFL were stupid enough to lend money directly too him - but now recover it back from our monthly League 1 payments. The RFL need to takea long hard look at itself and ask "where was the due diligence". Now people will know why players didnt get paid (he lied to them) why invoices never got paid (he lied to creditors) and why North Wales Crusaders struggled for the last two seasons and will still be paying of a debt for this season too. Thanks Mastercheat - I hope you cansleep at night. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.