Southport man bailed over multi-million pound apprenticeships fraud

Southport man bailed over multi-million pound apprenticeships fraud

Jack William Harper (29) from Southport, pleaded not guilty to fraud by false representation in connection with football-based apprenticeships.

Harper and five others face charges at London’s Southwark Crown Court after a Serious Fraud Office investigation.

Former Middlesbrough, Cardiff and Newport player Paul Sugrue(55) of Cardiff, also denied the allegation.

The charge relates to the Coventry-based Learning and Skills Council and its successor, the Skills Funding Agency, which were both allegedly defrauded between 1 November, 2008, and 30th September, 2011.

Mark Aizlewood(57) from Aberdare, Christopher Paul Martin(52) of Catmore, West Berkshire, and Keith Anthony Williams(44) of Cemaes Bay, Anglesey, also denied the count.

Steven Paul Gooding(52) of Bridgwater, Somerset, will enter a plea to the alleged conspiracy on 31st October.

A second charge of conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation was also denied by Aizlewood, Sugrue, Martin and Williams.

It concerns making dishonest representations regarding the accounts of Luis Michael Associates and Luis Michael Training between 1st January, 2009, and 31st October, 2010.

They were all bailed to return for trial at the same court on 4th September, 2017.

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