Police union chiefs stole £30,000 to fund shopping habit, Nottingham court told
A FORMER union leader used £20,000 of members' funds to fuel his "shopping habit" – despite already having more than £200,000 in the bank, a court heard yesterday.
Rahmatullah Khan stole £20,431 over three years while he was secretary of the Notts Police branch of Unison, Nottingham Crown Court heard.
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Khan and Gazzard
Khan took the cash with the help of the branch treasurer Derek Gazzard, who also stole £9,642 of union funds.
Martin Hurst, prosecuting, said Khan used the cash to pay back a friend who had bought goods for him on his credit card, including 105 watches and 44 pairs of shoes.
"Khan has a shopping habit his wife knew about," said Mr Hurst. But Khan "had no need to do this", as investigations found his current account had a balance of £209,000.
"His whole salary was paid into there and never touched. In a sense he was stealing when he didn't need to," said Mr Hurst.
Khan, 34, of Erskine Road, Sherwood, and Gazzard, 61, of Oakfield Avenue, Kirkby-in- Ashfield, had each earlier admitted five counts of theft.
A further theft charge against Khan, which he denied, was ordered to lie on file.
During the hearing, the court heard that Khan and Gazzard began stealing from Unison in October 2005 until September 2008.
Mr Hurst said Gazzard used the union money to buy an S-Type Jaguar, a sat-nav and to get his daughter's car serviced.
He also used a forged Notts Police receipts book to try to validate cheques and made other payments to himself under a fake branch member's name.
Mr Hurst said the branch took around £2,500 a month in membership fees.
"Both (Gazzard and Khan) were the two signatories on branch cheques," he said. "In that position they were able to treat the assets and funds of the union as their own."
The pair both resigned their union roles in December 2008.
Their departures led to Unison's East Midlands regional office to take over the branch of the union and concerns were raised over branch finances.
The pair were arrested in February 2009 along with a 54-year-old man who was given a police caution.
Judge Dudley Bennett adjourned sentencing until October 8 pending further inquiries into confiscation and compensation orders against Khan and Gazzard.
They were both released on unconditional bail.
31 Comments
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by c, nottingham
Monday, August 02 2010, 6:13PM
“I know Mr Khan personally through work. He is a complete rat who cannot be trusted. If this judge has any sense of community he would put him behind bars and make Nottingham a better place!!!!”
by MadBadger, The Sett
Monday, August 02 2010, 5:54PM
“"...a proven liar, a coward, a cyber bully, seriously deranged, and mentally unhinged."
Claire. First of all I am not a proven liar. When I posted previously that I did not post under other names it was true.
If you're accusing me of being a coward (Bill's favourite hobby-horse) for not posting under my real, full name and location, then you are as guilty as me along with the majority of those that post here.
As for the bullying, I think you'll find that there are others who post here that are more guilty of that than me. But then again, like Bill, you're rather selective in whom you attack.
I can assure that my mental faculties are fine, but thanks for your concern.
As for your qualifications, I would have thought that someone who claims to have "science degrees (x2)" would know the difference between O Levels and CSEs. But that is why henceforth you will be known as Clairehead.
As for BIll and Ted, I don't give a rats what either of you think or state here.
But the funny thing is neither of you 3 ever make any constructive comments here. Certainly all Bill does is defend his outdated conservative christian views here. Ted, well Ted doesn't really say anything of substance, for Bill's benefit if you look at Ted's post all he ever does is trot out tired old anti-left lines.
Now, Clairehead, you can post a reply to this but I certainly won't be reading it.
So, mybe you won't bother wasting your time. But I doubt it because you won't, in true Plonker style (I notice that you only ever post in the small hours, like Plonker) be able to resist not doing so. Hahahahahaha...”
by Bill Lawrenson, Keyworth
Monday, August 02 2010, 9:25AM
“One of these days MadB will surprise us all by making some constructive remarks and being open and honest but then I can always hope that people will forsake their old ways. I must apologise to Earl Manvers for suggesting that he might be MadB, it was not my intention to insult his intelligence but to allay my concern. Enjoy your Bank Holiday Claire and Ted.”
by The morally corrupt solicitor, Chambers
Monday, August 02 2010, 8:23AM
“I'll be on holiday when the sentencing is passed so could someone please cut and paste this to the judge...
"Our clients regret their actions that occurred during a time of great stress both at work and home. They admitted the offences early on in the court system and should be given credit for that. This is embarrassing for them and thir families and so punishment enough. With no criminal histories I welcome a low to middle to community punishment, or short-term prison sentence."”
by Claire, Here and there, accused of being an airhead
Monday, August 02 2010, 2:19AM
“Another adopted tactic of false allegations from the worthless and socially inept individual posing as many others, well i am flattered.
If you had a smattering of intelligence you could see Bill posed this question, he didn't make a statement which is something totally different.
I am an airhead am i? interesting; i wonder how your few CSE's and diploma in business studies compare to my superior science degrees (X2), funny how idiots have to secumb to self promotion and others denigration.
If we take the time to consider your many traits a am glad i am not a proven liar, a coward, a cyber bully, seriously deranged, and mentally unhinged.
Life's great.”