Man denies defrauding West Ham footballers and club staff
Former West Ham manager Sam Allardyce was allegedly one of those defrauded (Picture: PA Images) - Credit: PA WIRE
A man has denied cheating West Ham players and staff out of thousands of pounds.
Thirteen people linked to the club, including former manager Sam Allardyce, allegedly paid a total of £7,310 to Stephen Ackerman in December 2014, with the promise of goods that were never delivered.
The 47-year-old, of Hillcroft, Loughton, Essex, denied 13 counts of fraud at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Friday last week.
Judge David Radford, the Recorder of Redbridge, set a trial date for Monday, July 18, to avoid clashing with the European Championships and the start of the new football season.
A number of current players, including England striker Andy Carroll and Leyton Orient’s new player-manager, Kevin Nolan, are among those set to give evidence.
The charges state that Ackerman had committed fraud by acting “dishonestly” and “intending” to “make a gain for himself or another”.
It states that he made a false representation by claiming he was in possession of goods which would be delivered in return for payment.
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Ackerman was unconditionally bailed ahead of a pre-trial hearing on Tuesday, June 17.
