Whyte stays silent as Gers defence ends
Ex-Ibrox chief avoids giving evidence
FORMER Rangers owner Craig Whyte will not give evidence in his fraud trial, it emerged yesterday.
Donald Findlay QC, representing the businessman, closed the defence case at the High Court in Glasgow without calling a single witness.
Prosecutor Alex Prentice QC will today deliver his closing speech to the jury.
Findlay is then expected to address them on Friday.
Judge Lady Stacey will charge the jury on Monday before they retire to consider their verdict.
During yesterday’s brief hearing, Lady Stacey raised a few laughs by mistakenly asking Findlay: “I understand you are closing the Crown case?”
The QC replied: “I wish I could close the Crown case.”
Whyte, 46, is accused of acquiring Rangers by fraud in May 2011. He denies the charge and another under the Companies Act.
The court heard the sale was eventually made to Whyte for £1.
But it came with obligations to pay an £18million bank debt, a £2.8million “small tax case” bill, £1.7million for stadium repairs, £5million for players and £5million in working capital.
The Crown alleges Whyte pretended to then owner Sir David Murray, and others, that funds were “immediately available” on an “unconditional basis” to make all required payments for a controlling and majority stake in the Glasgow giants.
The prosecution closed their case on Tuesday.
The trial continues.