Co Armagh man accused of fraud and stealing £120,000 from The Mill indoor combat centre, Craigavon court hears
A Co Armagh man, accused of stealing around £120,000 from a popular indoor combat business, has appeared in court.
The 27-year-old defendant is accused of a number of fraud charges plus theft of £120k from The Mill indoor combat centre which is based on the Bleary Road, Portadown.
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Luke Patterson, aged 27, from Camlough Road, Newry, appeared before Craigavon Magistrates Court on Friday.
He is accused of a number of fraud charges including that he dishonestly made false representations, namely applied for a bank loan, with the intention to make a gain for himself or a loss to The Mill NI between January and December 2024.
He is also charged that whilst occupying a position in which he was expected to safeguard rather than act against the financial interests of The Mill NI, he dishonestly abused that position in that the applied for loans with the intention of making a gain for himself or expose The Mill NI to a risk of loss between the same dates.
Patterson is further accused that he made a bank statement knowing that it was designed or adapted for use in the course of or in connection with fraud between January and December 2024 and that he stole money valued at £120,000 or thereabouts belonging to The Mill NI between November 2023 and December 2024.
These charges were read to the defendant. He was asked if he understood them and he responded: “Yes.”
A PSNI officer was asked if he could connect the accused to the charges. He replied : “I can.”
Patterson’s barrister, Mr Conor Coulter, had no questions for the officer.
A prosecutor told the court a full file has been requested and it is due to arrive at the Department for Public Prosecutions by June 11 and asked for an adjournment.
The case was adjourned until June 26.
Releasing the defendant on £300 court bail, District Judge Michael Ranaghan told him he was barred from having any contact with the complainant or The Mill either directly, indirectly or via a third party.
He was told the go down to the custody suite in Craigavon courthouse to sign his bail before leaving the building and to keep in contact with his solicitor firm Fisher and Fisher in Newry.