November 13, 2015 2.23 pm This story is over 100 months old

Boss’ son who failed CRB check not interviewed for job at Lincoln academy, trial hears

Fraud trial: The son of the chief executive of the Priory Federation of Academies was given a job despite apparently not being interviewed for the post, a jury was told.
Richard Gilliland appearing at Lincoln Crown Court accused of fraud. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

The son of the former chief executive of the Priory Federation of Academies was given a job with the organisation despite apparently not being interviewed for the post, a jury was told on Friday, November 13.

Elizabeth Ann Turner, development co-ordinator with the federation, said that she had no recollection of Kia Richardson undergoing an interview before he was appointed as yard manager at the organisation’s Laughton Manor equestrian centre.

She told the jury at Lincoln Crown Court she had no recollection of the job being advertised and that the job description for the position was changed because it was felt that Richardson would not be able to perform the tasks required.

She said she approached Richardson’s father Richard Gilliland to raise her concerns and the job description was revised.

“I said we were asking someone that wasn’t able to climb a hill to climb a mountain in my opinion.”

Turner said that during the time Kia Richardson worked at Laughton Manor the head of the unit raised issues with her about Kia’s performance.

“The man was in such a state that he cried. He was in despair. I tried to explain to Mr Gilliland but he said that the head of the centre had to manage the situation. I don’t think Mr Gilliland wanted to know.”

The jury has heard that an enhanced CRB check obtained for Richardson was simply placed in an office drawer without being looked at by staff.

The prosecution has told the jury that the check revealed that Richardson had previous convictions for possession of heroin as well as for flashing and masturbating in public.

Turner said she was told by Gilliland not to look at the results of the check adding: “No-one was allowed to see it.”

Gilliland, 64, who now lives in Spain, denies six charges of fraud by abuse of position on dates between October 2008 and November 2011.

Former finance director Stephen Davies, 58, of Abingdon Avenue, Lincoln, denies three charges of fraud by abuse of position.

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