Former Lurgan church director faces trial on allegations of defrauding the parish funds of £745,950
A former director of a Lurgan church has appeared before Craigavon Magistrates Court charged with defrauding the church of almost three quarters of a million pounds.
Godfrey Ellis, aged 53, from Clanconnell Gardens in Waringstown appeared before the court on Wednesday and confirmed he was aware of the charges against him.
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Those charges consisted of three counts of defrauding the trustees of Shankill Parish Church in Lurgan by abusing his position of trust and a further count of forgery.
One charge before the court alleges that the defendant, between July 26, 2011 and January 16, 2020, dishonestly abused his position of trust and credited £643,637.31 into his own bank accounts.
A second charge claimed the defendant, between August 18, 2015 and January 7, 2020, used parish funds to make payments on credit cards in his name to the value of £102,313.
A third charge claims the defendant, between January 1, 2020 and January 31, 2020 reported the bank balance of the parish stood at £30,482 in credit when in fact it was £38,847 in overdraft.
A fourth charge claimed that on February 9, 2020 the defendant forged a cheque purporting to be countersigned by another director in the parish.
A prosecutor submitted there was a prima facie case to answer. Ellis’ defence solicitor conceded and District Judge Michael Ranaghan said that based on the papers before the court there was a prima facie case.
Ellis was freed on £500 bail to attend Craigavon Crown Court on November 22 for arraignment with a pre-arraignment date of October 25. The defendant was also granted legal aid.