‘Conman ripped off England boss-hopeful Sam Allardyce and other top Premier League players in £60k Christmas hamper fraud’ at West Ham’s training ground
Stephen Ackerman, 48, denies duping stars and backroom staff out of thousands of pounds in trial at Snaresbrook Crown Court
A CONMAN has appeared in court accused of scamming Sunderland boss Sam Allardyce and a number of West Ham players out of more than £60,000.
Jurors were told how the England manager hopeful, 61, was ripped off to the tune of £270 in an alleged Christmas Hamper fraud when he was in charge at West Ham.
Allardyce and a host of his players and backroom staff shelled out for luxury goods like Harrods champagne and Fortnum & Mason hampers back in December 2014.
But many of the goods never arrived and the footie stars’ cards were then charged thousands in unauthorised payments, the court heard.
Stephen Ackerman, 48, is accused of attending the East London club’s Chadwell Heath training ground under the guise of a luxury goods salesman named Mark Kingston.
Snaresbrook Crown Court heard how star striker Andy Carroll was scammed out of £2,500 before his account was raided for a further £10,500.
Defender James Tomkins, 27, who joined Premier League rivals Crystal Palace in a £10million deal earlier this month, was also said to have been stung.
Jurors were told he forked out £750, while £30,000 was later nabbed in unauthorised transactions.
And Aaron Cresswell, 26, who has just signed a contract extension tying him to the Hammers for the next five seasons, allegedly ended up £180 out of pocket.
A number of ‘Big Sam’s backroom staff were also allegedly caught out – including former assistant, and recently departed Blackpool boss Neil McDonald, who lost £60 in undelivered goods.
The court was told Ackerman first got in touch with West Ham representatives through trendy Essex watering hole Club 195.
The club named its VIP Suite after then-club captain Kevin Nolan, 34, who himself is said to have handed over £920 to the accused conman.
After meeting owner Scott Cummins – who then spoke to Nolan – Ackerman was introduced at the training ground by Player Liason Officer Tim De'Ath.
Prosecutor Richard Milne said: “The fraud was very simple.
“He turned up at their training ground with all the trappings of a successful businessman – with a Range Rover; a large, shiny, silver watch; well dressed.
“He turned up and he defrauded them.
“He took in some cases cash, in many cases their bank cards.
“He had a portable chip and pin machine and he took payment in cash and bank card payment for hampers.
“And when I say hampers I mean luxury hampers – Fortnum & Mason, Harrods – promising them, guaranteeing them to deliver in time for Christmas.
“Those players and managers and employees paid up and they never got their goods.”
Ackerman – who is said to have pocketed £62,040 in total – denies 18 counts of fraud and one count of possession of a chip and pin device for use in fraud.
The trial continues.
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