Fallon bailed on betting conspiracy charge
Kieren Fallon appeared in court yesterday to answer charges relating to an alleged betting conspiracy.
Fallon (aged 41) of Longacre, Newmarket, Cambridgeshire, appeared alongside 10 other people, including fellow jockeys Fergal Lynch (aged 28) of Boroughbridge, North Yorkshire, and Darren Williams (aged 27) of Leyburn, North Yorkshire, for his first appearance at City of London Magistrates’ Court.
The six-times champion jockey, who landed Irish Oaks glory with the brilliant Alexandrova at the weekend, is charged with conspiracy to defraud.
Fallon was charged along with the others following a City of London Police investigation, codenamed Operation Crypton, which has hung over racing for more than two years.
Fallon was one of 28 people who answered bail at Bishopsgate police station in the City of London earlier this month.
The police inquiry looked at more than 80 races with around 130 officers working on the case.
In court, Fallon spoke only to give his name, age and address.
The case was sent to Southwark Crown Court at a date to be set.
All the defendants were released on unconditional bail.
Fallon was banned from riding in Britain by the Horseracing Regulatory Authority (HRA) after being charged.
Fallon, Lynch and Williams are charged along with Shaun Lynch (aged 37) of Derry, Miles Rodgers (aged 37) of Silkstone, South Yorkshire, and Philip Sherkle (aged 39) of Tamworth, Staffordshire, with conspiracy to defraud between December 1, 2002, and September 9, 2004.
It is alleged they conspired together and with persons unknown to defraud Betfair Ltd and those who placed bets with bookmakers or through facilities provided by the Horserace Totalisator Board (the Tote) by dishonestly “agreeing not to permit diverse horses ridden by Fergal Lynch, Kieren Fallon or Darren Williams to run on their merits in that riding practices would, if necessary, be used, which would interfere with the running of the horses and affect the result” and by laying both horses to lose on the exchange provided.
Rodgers is also charged with one offence under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
Trainer Alan Berry (aged 43) of Lancaster, and blacksmith Steven O’Sullivan (aged 35) of Preston, Lancashire, are charged with conspiracy to defraud Betfair customers between May 1, 2003, and June 30, 2003.
It is alleged they agreed that Hillside Girl would be entered for a race at Carlisle on June 15, 2003, when the filly was lame or unfit to race, and that they agreed not to disclose that the filly was lame.
Joanne Richardson, 27, of Silkstone, South Yorkshire, Darren Armitage (aged 41) of Barnsley, South Yorkshire, and Brian Pilkington (aged 70) also of Barnsley, are all charged with an offence under the Proceeds of Crime Act between March 24, 2003, and September 2, 2004.
