This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/business/2014/dec/15/ex-jjb-sports-chief-executive-jailed-fraud

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Ex-JJB Sports chief jailed for fraud Ex-JJB Sports chief jailed for fraud
(about 2 hours later)
The former chief executive of JJB Sports has been jailed for four years for pocketing £1m in a “very greedy” fraud.The former chief executive of JJB Sports has been jailed for four years for pocketing £1m in a “very greedy” fraud.
Christopher Ronnie, 52, was £11m in debt to an Icelandic bank when he took money from two suppliers to the sportswear giant.Christopher Ronnie, 52, was £11m in debt to an Icelandic bank when he took money from two suppliers to the sportswear giant.
The Scottish tycoon used some of the cash to splash out on property in Florida.The Scottish tycoon used some of the cash to splash out on property in Florida.
But when the troubled Icelandic bank tried to recover its cash, Ronnie lied about his assets and liabilities, Southwark crown court in London heard.But when the troubled Icelandic bank tried to recover its cash, Ronnie lied about his assets and liabilities, Southwark crown court in London heard.
The charismatic businessman was found guilty last month of fraud over three six-figure cash payments when he was at the helm of JJB Sports in 2008.The charismatic businessman was found guilty last month of fraud over three six-figure cash payments when he was at the helm of JJB Sports in 2008.
Judge Nicholas Loraine-Smith said Ronnie had embarked on a very greedy fraud and went to great lengths to cover his tracks. He said Ronnie took up his post as chief executive in 2007, which brought with it “enormous responsibility to the employees and the shareholders”. Judge Nicholas Loraine-Smith said Ronnie had embarked on a very greedy fraud and had gone to great lengths to cover his tracks. He said Ronnie took up his post as chief executive in 2007, which brought with it “enormous responsibility to the employees and the shareholders”.
However, “within months you were grossly abusing that position by embarking upon a course of conduct which was dishonest in the extreme.However, “within months you were grossly abusing that position by embarking upon a course of conduct which was dishonest in the extreme.
“Over a period of nine months they gave you just under £1m.“Over a period of nine months they gave you just under £1m.
“You hid the fact they had paid you those sums because you wanted to keep your position as CEO and keep the money, and spend it as you did, mainly on the house.“You hid the fact they had paid you those sums because you wanted to keep your position as CEO and keep the money, and spend it as you did, mainly on the house.
“You had to disguise the real reason for the receipt of that money; you went to great lengths to do so.”“You had to disguise the real reason for the receipt of that money; you went to great lengths to do so.”
The judge said Ronnie had tried to dismiss the allegations, telling police it was part of a “witch-hunt” against him.The judge said Ronnie had tried to dismiss the allegations, telling police it was part of a “witch-hunt” against him.
The judge added: “I’m unable to see any sign of remorse or even embarrassment about what you have done.The judge added: “I’m unable to see any sign of remorse or even embarrassment about what you have done.
“This was a flagrant and disgraceful breach of your duty as a CEO of a public limited company. “This was a flagrant and disgraceful breach of your duty as a CEO of a public limited company. This was a particularly vulnerable period in the company’s history prior to its collapse.”
“This was a particularly vulnerable period in the company’s history prior to its collapse.” Business partners David Ball and David Barrington – who worked for the firms that made the loans – were sentenced to 18 months in prison each for helping Ronnie cover his tracks. All three must serve at least half their sentence.
Business partners David Ball and David Barrington – who worked for the firms which made the loans – were sentenced to 18 months in prison each for helping Ronnie cover his tracks. All three must serve at least half their sentence.
The suited trio all looked relaxed and stared straight ahead with passive expressions as the sentences were read out.The suited trio all looked relaxed and stared straight ahead with passive expressions as the sentences were read out.
The case against the three men cost the British taxpayer £630,000 – £500,000 on Ronnie’s case alone. The case against the three men cost the taxpayer £630,000 – £500,000 on Ronnie’s case alone.
The fraud focused on three large loans of several hundred thousand pounds which he received from suppliers, but failed to declare to the JJB board.The fraud focused on three large loans of several hundred thousand pounds which he received from suppliers, but failed to declare to the JJB board.
Ronnie, who lives in Wilmslow, Cheshire, and was chief executive of JJB Sports between August 2007 and March 2009, received the payments in 2008.Ronnie, who lives in Wilmslow, Cheshire, and was chief executive of JJB Sports between August 2007 and March 2009, received the payments in 2008.
His company, Seacroft, received £650,000 in February 2008 from supplier Performance Brands. That June he received US$380,000 (about £197,000) from Fashion and Sport, another supplier.His company, Seacroft, received £650,000 in February 2008 from supplier Performance Brands. That June he received US$380,000 (about £197,000) from Fashion and Sport, another supplier.
A third payment, again from Fashion and Sport, was made to Ronnie later that year, this time of US$250,000.A third payment, again from Fashion and Sport, was made to Ronnie later that year, this time of US$250,000.
Ronnie owed £11m to Icelandic bank Kaupthing Singer Friedlander, and agreed he would provide it with documents about his loans and assets. But he falsified information about his assets and liabilities over these loans when he bought shares in JJB Sports. Ronnie owed £11m to Icelandic bank Kaupthing Singer & Friedlander, and agreed he would provide it with documents about his loans and assets. But he falsified information about his assets and liabilities over these loans when he bought shares in JJB Sports.
The court heard that the fraud could have shaken the market’s trust in the company had it come to light at the time.The court heard that the fraud could have shaken the market’s trust in the company had it come to light at the time.
Prosecutor Miranda Moore, QC, said: “One cannot pin a fiscal health on a company which, by anyone’s point of view, was going through tough times. Prosecutor Miranda Moore QC, said: “One cannot pin a fiscal health on a company which, by anyone’s point of view, was going through tough times. But Mr Ronnie was trusted and hailed as this new and brilliant leader.”
“But Mr Ronnie was trusted and hailed as this new and brilliant leader.” The self-made businessman went from being able to raise £190m on the market to fund his stake in JJB to being a man “broken financially”, his defence lawyer, Jim Sturman QC, said.
The self-made businessman went from being able to raise £190m on the market to fund his stake in JJB to being a man “broken financially”, his defence lawyer, Jim Sturman, QC, said.
Sturman said it had been a “hellishly difficult year” for Ronnie, who was left in financial straits following the economic crash.Sturman said it had been a “hellishly difficult year” for Ronnie, who was left in financial straits following the economic crash.
He said: “He left school before he was 16 and by virtue of hard work and charisma he managed to build himself up to a position where he could borrow £190m to buy the stake in the company. He said: “He left school before he was 16 and by virtue of hard work and charisma he managed to build himself up to a position where he could borrow £190m to buy the stake in the company. And the crash caught him unawares as it caught others unaware.”
“And the crash caught him unawares as it caught others unaware.”
Ball, 54, and Barrington, 52, covered up emails relating to the loans and asked a computer engineer to wipe any trace of the emails, the court heard. But the engineer was so concerned that he contacted the Serious Fraud Office.Ball, 54, and Barrington, 52, covered up emails relating to the loans and asked a computer engineer to wipe any trace of the emails, the court heard. But the engineer was so concerned that he contacted the Serious Fraud Office.
Moore said it was “sheer fluke” that he had the material and showed it to investigators.Moore said it was “sheer fluke” that he had the material and showed it to investigators.
Ronnie, who did not give evidence in his own defence, was convicted of three counts of fraud, and two of furnishing false information. Ronnie, who did not give evidence in his own defence, was convicted of three counts of fraud and two of furnishing false information.
Ball, 54, from Sutton, Surrey, was convicted of two counts of attempting to pervert the course of justice, as was Barrington, 52, from Sale, Cheshire.Ball, 54, from Sutton, Surrey, was convicted of two counts of attempting to pervert the course of justice, as was Barrington, 52, from Sale, Cheshire.
Ronnie was also banned from being a company director for eight years. Confiscation proceedings to claw back some of the costs of the case are expected to be launched.Ronnie was also banned from being a company director for eight years. Confiscation proceedings to claw back some of the costs of the case are expected to be launched.