One man cleared in trial over £4m Spalding lottery fraud

A man who was alleged to have introduced other investors to the Spalding based Lottery Syndicate Club has walked free from court.

Philip Cavener, 61, has been on trial at Lincoln Crown Court alongside former Spalding football club chairman, Chris Toynton.

Mr Cavener, of Douglas Road, Bedford, had denied one offence of contravening  the general prohibition on carrying out a regulated activity.

The prosecution today (Friday) offered no evidence against Mr Cavener as the trial entered its fifth week.

Mr Cavener had denied any criminal or fraudulent activity when he was interviewed by the police.

He was discharged by the trial judge, Judge Catarina Sjolin Knight.

The trial of Mr Toynton, of Horseshoe Road, Spalding, will resume after Easter Monday. 

He has denied 12 fraud charges and contravening a general prohibition on carrying out a regulated activity.

The prosecution allege Mr Toynton was the manager and sole company director of the Lottery Syndicate Club Ltd, which received substantial funds from investors which were later frozen.

It  is claimed Mr Toynton was involved in the scheme, along with spread betting trader Ross Gibson, 27, who has pleaded guilty to his role.

Gibson, 27, of Eve Lane, Upper Gornal, Dudley, has already pleaded guilty to three offences on dates between 1 November 2017 and 31 March 2019.

The trial continues

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