Gambling-addict treasurer frittered £18,000 of football league funds and bought Greggs and Papa John takeaways

Lewis Elliott’s offending came to light when he sent the chairman of Huddersfield and District Association Football League a letter confessing to his crime, and had left just £24 in its bank account. In the previous 18 months he had used the funds for betting, along with ordering items online including takeaways and shopping.

Elliott, who turned 24 today and is from Wakefield, appeared at Leeds Crown Court where he admitted a charge of theft. It was heard that in the letter he sent in March of 2021, he said he had been stealing the money for a period of 18 months, apologised, wanted to make amends and was seeking help for his addiction. He also returned the laptop and other items given to him for his job as the league’s treasurer.

During regular meetings of the league’s officials, Elliott, of Sycamore Avenue, Alverthorpe, would lie about the amount of money in their account.

As well as betting, it was found he spent money on items from Amazon, Sainsbury’s, Deliveroo, Majestic Wine, Papa John pizzas and Greggs bakery. The largest single transaction he made in a single day was £6,923, even forging a second signature that was required to ensure its completion.

The association, which is more than 120-years-old, is the administrator for six leagues containing more than 50 clubs. Following Elliott’s theft, an emergency loan had to be taken out from the Football Association to avert insolvency.

The court heard he was “candid” during his interview under caution and accepted that he had stolen the money, telling officers that having access to the money was “too tempting” and that he could spend up to £2,000-a-day on gambling. He had no previous convictions.

A probation report into Elliott found that he works as a web designer but was hoping to land a job with the Yorkshire Ambulance Service (YAS). He took full responsibility for the theft and had since sought help. He has not gambled in over two years and committed no further offences.

Passing his sentencing remarks, Judge Mushtaq Khokhar told Elliott: "For the last two years you haven't gambled…it is not very often one comes across defendants who, on their own motion, try to rehabilitate themselves.”

Judge Khokhar added: "I am prepared to accept that, at the time of commission of these offences, there was a certain amount of immaturity on your part."

Mitigating, Michael Collins said Elliott had racked up a £60,000 debt during his days at university.

Mr Collins added: “When he confessed to the chairman of the organisation, it was suggested it might have been cynical. But I would submit his confession was genuine and honest.”

But this was counteracted by Judge Khokhar, who told Elliott: “You had no option but to come clean at the time.

He added: “These are serious matters involving breach of trust, and when it comes to looking at the guidelines – and, of course, Mr Collins is right, they are not tram-lines – one has got to be able to adjust to the circumstances of the particular case that is before the court.”

In passing sentence Judge Khokhar said: “Reluctantly – as I say, reluctantly – I am going to draw back from imposing an immediate custodial sentence.”

He gave Elliott two years’ jail, suspended for two years, 300 hours of unpaid work and a four-month curfew order.

We very much regret some inaccuracies in our original reporting of this case. The article above was further corrected on April 10, 2024.