November 20, 2015 2.52 pm This story is over 100 months old

Solicitor ‘had no knowledge’ of ex-Lincoln academy CEO’s employment conditions, jury hears

Fraud trial: A solicitor who advised the Priory Federation of Academies Trust did not see the Chief Executive’s employment conditions until after he resigned, a jury was told.
Richard Gilliland appearing at Lincoln Crown Court accused of fraud. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

A solicitor who advised the Priory Federation of Academies Trust did not see the terms and conditions of the Chief Executive’s employment until after he resigned, a jury has been told on Friday, November 20.

Former chief executive Richard Gilliland denies defrauding the federation out of thousands of pounds as well as employing his son, Kia, after suppressing a CRB check which revealed his past criminal convictions.

Giving evidence at Lincoln Crown Court, Kate Hindmarch, a solicitor with Lincoln based law firm Langleys LLP, told the jury she was the partner who specialised in employment issues and whose role it was to advise the Priory Trust.

Asked if she was the person from Langleys who would have most contact with the Priory Trust, Hindmarch replied: “Absolutely.”

But answering questions from prosecution barrister, David Allen, Hindmarch told the jury she was not aware of Gilliland’s employment conditions until he left the Priory in 2012.

“I had no knowledge of his terms and conditions until after he resigned,” Hindmarch insisted.

Hindmarch was also shown a document from December 2009 which the prosecution allege relate to Gilliland’s employment as chief executive and director of education at the Priory.

But Hindmarch again told the jury: “I never saw those minutes until after Mr Gilliland had resigned in 2012.”

Questioned further by Allen, Hindmarch said Langleys did all the contracts, as well as policies and procedures for the Trust.

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

The federation’s former finance director, Stephen Davies, 58, of Abingdon Avenue, Lincoln, also denies three charges of fraud by abuse of position.

The trial continues.

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