Neil Greatrex

Neil Greatrex (born 1 April 1951 in Basford, Nottinghamshire[1][2]) is an English former miner, trade unionist, fraudster and the former president of the Union of Democratic Mineworkers (UDM).

From a mining family, his grandfather, father, and three older brother's also worked as miners, one of his first jobs at the pit was working with the pit ponies.[3] The UDM was formed in 1985 after the miners' strike led to a split from the National Union of Mineworkers.

With Mick Stevens (UDM general secretary), Greatrex appeared in court on 20 May 2011, accused of stealing almost £150,000 from a fund intended to help sick miners.[4] Their trial began in March 2012. Greatrex abused his position as a trustee of the fund by paying for work on his own home.[5]

On 3 April 2012 the jury found Greatrex guilty of all 14 charges, they found Stevens not guilty.[6][7][8][9] Greatrex was advised by the judge to expect a custodial sentence.[7] He was jailed for four years.[10]

In December 2012, the Birmingham Crown Court ordered Greatrex to repay over £200,000.[11]

References

  1. ↑ http://search.findmypast.co.uk/results/world-records/england-and-wales-births-1837-2006?firstname=neil&lastname=greatrex&eventyear=1951&eventyear_offset=5
  2. ↑ http://www.opencompany.co.uk/company/01984173/welfare-financial-services-limited
  3. ↑ "A Lifetime in Mining", BBC Nottingham, [9] May 2008
  4. ↑ "UDM leaders Neil Greatrex and Mick Stevens deny charity thefts", Chad, 20 May 2011
  5. ↑ Ex-Nottinghamshire union leader 'did not see invoices', BBC News, 30 March 2012
  6. ↑ UDM leader guilty of stealing from miners' charity, This is Nottingham, 3 April 2012
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Ex-Union of Democratic Mineworkers leader Neil Greatrex guilty of theft, BBC News, 3 April 2012
  8. ↑ Emma Sword, Ex-miners' leader Neil Greatrex found guilty of theft, The Independent, 3 April 2012
  9. ↑ http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/Fall-grace-UDM-hero-Neil-Greatrex/story-15713544-detail/story.html
  10. ↑ 'Greedy' former union leader Neil Greatrex jailed for theft, BBC, 27 April 2012
  11. ↑ Jonathan Last (18 December 2012). "Miners' charity embezzler slapped with £200,000 reparation bill". Civil Society. Retrieved 18 December 2012.