Theft trial of former UDM bosses continues

The trial of two former UDM bosses accused of stealing almost £150,000 from a charity that ran a care home for sick and elderly miners, continued at Nottingham Crown Court this morning (Thursday).

Former UDM president Neil Greatrex and general secretary Mick Stevens, both 60, are accused of 14 counts of theft between June 2000 and May 2006. It is alleged they used the money to make improvements to their own homes.

This morning (Thursday) Notts Crown Court continued to hear from Peter Minkley, owner of Minkley and Sons Ltd.

Yesterday he told the court that on a number of occasions his company had done work at the private homes of Greatrex and Stevens.

But instead of invoicing the men themselves, the prosecution say the bills were sent to the Phoenix care home for payment.

Mukul Chowla, defending Stevens, pointed out that when Mr Minkley made a statement to police in 2007, only once did he mention an invoice being sent to the Phoenix care home.

“Apart from one mention of the Phoenix in relation to an amount of £1,537.05, all of the rest is invoices sent to Vendside,” he said.

Vendside was an arm of the UDM set up to deal with miners compensation claims and was based at the Mansfield headquarters.

Mr Minkley told the court that at the time he considered the UDM, Vendside and the care home as all being the same entity.

Greatrex and Stevens both deny the charges.

The trial continues.

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