WHYTE’S MAY DAY
LEGAL HEARING BEFORE TRIAL Businessman accused of fraudulent Rangers takeover appears in court
FORMER Rangers owner Craig Whyte appeared in court yesterday to hear legal submissions ahead of his fraud trial. The 46-year-old, who pleads not guilty to fraud over the takeover of the Ibrox club in May 2011, spent around two hours in the dock. His lawyer Donald Findlay QC addressed judges at the High Court in Edinburgh. Advocate depute Alex Prentice QC also spoke during the hearing. The Record cannot report details of the discussions for legal reasons. Whyte arrived at court alone, talking on his phone and carrying a briefcase. He faces two charges – one of fraud and one under the Companies Act. The first charge claims Whyte, who bought Rangers from Sir David Murray for £1, got a “majority and controlling stake” in the club “by fraud”. The charge relates to the period between May 2010 and May 2011 and lists locations including Ibrox Stadium, Murray Park training complex and addresses in Monaco and France. It is claimed Whyte and his representatives pretended to Murray and others that “funds were available” to make all stipulated payments. Whyte allegedly claimed money was available to meet a number of obligations, including £5million for “the playing squad”. The Companies Act charge centres on an £18million payment connected with the takeover. In court in December, Whyte pleaded not guilty to fraud over the club’s takeover. The businessman was originally charged with six others over alleged offences relating to the acquisition of Rangers and their financial management. He is now the only one facing prosecution. Charges were dropped against Gary Withey, 52, David Grier, 56, David Whitehouse, 51, and Paul Clark, 52. Proceedings against former Gers chief executive Charles Green, 63, and director Imran Ahmad, 47, were dropped in relation to the indictment involving Whyte. Whyte, who was arrested on the fraud charge in November 2014, is due to go on trial next month.