January 22, 2016 2.49 pm This story is over 98 months old

Jury considers verdict in Lincoln academies fraud trial

Verdict pending: The jury in the fraud trial of the former chief executive of the Priory Federation of Academies this afternoon retired to consider their verdicts in the case at Lincoln Crown Court.
Photos: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

The jury in the fraud trial of the former chief executive of the Priory Federation of Academies this afternoon retired to consider their verdicts in the case at Lincoln Crown Court.

Richard Gilliland, who headed up the federation until quitting shortly before the findings of an investigation were published, is alleged to have abused his position by giving a job to his son Kia Richardson despite Richardson having previously served a jail sentence for flashing offences.

He is also alleged to have used federation funds for his own purposes and for the benefit of his son.

The federation’s former finance director Stephen Davies is also alleged to have abused his position to defraud the organisation.

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

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

The trial, which is currently in its tenth week, began on November 10 last year.

The jury will continue deliberating on Monday.

Due to the judge’s ruling on Friday, November 13, 2015, any comments on the ongoing trial on The Lincolnite will be removed.

Follow the progress of the trial so far: