Lincs: Former chief executive of the Priory Federation of Academies in Lincolnshire to stand trial for fraud by abuse of position

Richard Gilliland ,64, formerly of Collingham, but currently living in Moreira, Spain, pleaded not guilty to the charges when he appeared in the dock at Lincoln Crown Court on Friday 20th February.

The Federation’s former financial director Stephen Davis ,57, of Abingdon Avenue, Lincoln, denied three charges of fraud by abuse of position.

Both men are charged with dishonestly abusing their positions intending to make a gain for Equine Energy Ltd and Writtle College by causing payments to be made for a course and accommodation for Gilliland’s son Kia Richardson between 1st January 2010 and 28th February 2010.

They also face a charge of between 1st April 2010 and 31st May 2010 authorising a claim for repayment of payments to West Bridgford Equestrian Centre for a course for Mr Richardson.

Gilliland and Davis also face a third joint charge that between 10th November 2011 and 30th November 2011, they arranged for the federation to make overtime payments to Kia Richardson to which he was not entitled.

Gilliland alone denied three further similar charges of fraud by abuse of position.

Recorder Nicholas Syfret QC granted both men unconditional bail and adjourned the case for a trial at Lincoln Crown Court starting in November.

The court was told that the trial is likely to last for up to five weeks.