Council candidate handed suspended jail sentence
A candidate who had been due to stand in a council election escaped jail by the "skin of his teeth" after defrauding a charity out of £28,000.
Daniel Turner, 39, who was a manager and trustee at the Meridale Youth and Community Centre in Sutton on Sea, previously admitted fraud by false representation and fraud by abuse of position.
At Lincoln Crown Court on Monday, Turner, of New End, Horncastle, was sentenced to two years imprisonment, suspended for two years.
He must also complete 120 hours of unpaid work in the community.
The court heard Turner had used his position to divert more than £16,000 from Covid-19 grants to his own account between 2020 and 2022.
Turner also admitted claiming £12,000 which was meant for a dementia group based at the centre.
An impact statement from the Meridale trustees described Turner's actions as "a complete betrayal" of the organisation, which was set up by the late John Monk MBE.
Passing sentence, Recorder Simon King told Turner his behaviour was "reprehensible" and that he had escaped jail by the "skin of your teeth".
However, the judge accepted Turner had shown "genuine remorse" and was suitable for rehabilitation, adding he was satisfied Turner's children and ex-partner would suffer if he was jailed.
Turner was announced as the Reform candidate for Louth North in the Lincolnshire County Council elections on 1 May, but stood down in March after indicating his guilty pleas at Boston Magistrates' Court.
Reform UK said Turner's membership of the party had been suspended.
Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
Reform candidate stands down over charity fraud
HM Courts Service
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Los Angeles Times
3 hours ago
- Los Angeles Times
A historian of fascism is asked whether this was week was a turning point
Do you remember that day in March 2020 — five years and several eternities ago — when Tom Hanks tested positive for COVID-19, the NBA announced they were suspending their season and profound upheaval suddenly seemed inevitable? I've felt echoes of that feeling the past few days, as downtown businesses boarded up their windows and the facts on the ground grew ever more fantastical. Are we at the edge of some irreparable rupture in American democracy? Or is this just another strange and absurd chapter in a long series of them? On Sunday, the president sent federalized National Guard troops into a city against the will of the state's governor for the first time in 60 years. On Thursday, California's senior senator was tackled to the ground by federal agents and handcuffed at a news conference. Hundreds of active duty Marines were sent into the Los Angeles area, where for days they appeared to be performing heavily armed training exercises on what looked like a high school sports field. (A looming scoreboard, palm trees and jacaranda blooms were all visible behind their riot shields, according to a social media post from the U.S. Northern Command.) The president and the governor are having a momentous fight about constitutional rights in the courts, and flaming each other with insults and photoshopped memes on Truth Social and X. The ICE raids have thrown some Angelenos into a state of fear and virtual hiding. But for many others, ordinary life continues apace. Mayor Karen Bass has repeatedly cautioned that L.A. is being treated like 'a grand experiment' — a testing ground for President Trump to see if he can usurp the authority of Democratic mayors or governors in other states. Warning signs of democratic breakdown have been pointed out by scholars and Trump's critics since he took office for his first term in 2017 — so much so that many have grown numb to them. Has this week been any different? I called Federico Finchelstein, a historian of fascism and dictatorships who chairs the history department at the New School for Social Research in New York, to ask whether he saw this week as a turning point for the country. Finchelstein characterized Trump's federalizing of the California National Guard as a clear turn toward authoritarianism. He cited the move, along with attacks on the press and the judiciary and the manhandling of Sen. Alex Padilla on Thursday, as assaults on democratic norms that 'create the conditions for a further erosion of democracy.' But he hesitated about categorizing recent events as a turning point. It's hard while living in the middle of history to know precisely where you stand, he explained. 'It's very difficult to know what is the exact outcome of this sort of militarization of politics,' Finchelstein said. 'What we know is that democracy is at the other end, and this path is towards either disabling, denigrating or even destroying democracy. It's hard to know where it ends.' The outcome would also depend on more than Trump's next move, according to the historian. History has shown that when anti-democratic attempts are met with institutional and public resistance, they are less likely to succeed, Finchelstein said. 'In other words, this is not the end of the story,' he told me. A selection of the very best reads from The Times' 143-year archive. Have a great weekend, from the Essential California team Julia Wick, staff writerKevinisha Walker, multiplatform editor How can we make this newsletter more useful? Send comments to essentialcalifornia@ Check our top stories, topics and the latest articles on
Miami Herald
3 hours ago
- Miami Herald
Popular brewery and distillery files Chapter 11 bankruptcy
A local taproom or brewery becomes a beloved part of the community. That's actually somewhat rare in the United States where we don't have a tradition of village pubs. There are some bars that fill that role becoming someplace where friends and neighbors come together. Related: New class action suit claims Costco is tricking you on prices A really good neighborhood bar becomes a place where people bring their families, fall in love, and celebrate life's big moments. When a community loses that, it can be devastating. It's very hard to replace a bar, or pub that has become a de facto community center. Real life may not have bars like "Cheers," but a good neighborhood tavern becomes a place where everybody knows your name. Losing that means more than when another Hooters or TGI Fridays closes. Don't miss the move: Subscribe to TheStreet's free daily newsletter Sure, everyone has their favorite place and the loss of any popular business can be a blow, but local pubs build connections with and between passengers unlike any other kind of business. It's just different to be a regular at one of these local businesses than to be known by the bartender at Chilis. The post-Covid period has been dark for local breweries, taprooms, and pubs, and that devastation has continued. When many businesses close or file for bankruptcy, it's solely on the merits of the business. That's not the case for Big Storm Brewing, which has been pulled down due to the financial woes of Boston Finance Group, which is owned by Big Storm partner Leo Govoni. A 2024 lawsuit alleged from 2009 to 2020, Govoni misappropriated over $100 million from special needs trusts, which are specialized irrevocable trusts established for the elderly and people with disabilities. That does not directly speak to the operations of the brewery and distillery which have a long history (at least by the standards of local breweries). More retail: Walmart CEO sounds alarm on a big problem for customersTarget makes a change that might scare Walmart, CostcoTop investor takes firm stance on troubled retail brandWalmart and Costco making major change affecting all customers "Founded in 2012, Big Storm Brewing Co. has embraced our tagline of 'Florida Craft Beer Forecast' by developing a dynamic lineup of Florida favorites like Tropic Pressure Golden Ale, steeped with hibiscus flowers, and Bromosa Tangerine IPA, brewed with all-natural tangerine puree," the company shared on its website. Big Storm also added a distillery to complement its regionally-sold beers, and to sell in its multiple taprooms. "In 2020, Big Storm Distillery was born with a mission to create world-class spirits with a local flair. Our Big Storm team are innovators at heart, always pushing boundaries, and not afraid to take risks. With a commitment to exceptional customer service, dedication to quality products, and the ambition to explore opportunities left unexplored, Big Storm has become a leader in the craft beer industry and beyond," the company added. While the fate of Big Storm had been unclear, its assets were transferred to a bankruptcy trustee by a federal bankruptcy court on June 5. That took control away from Govoni and put it in the hands of the trustee. Judge Roberta Colton found Govoni and Boston Financial Group liable for the missing $100 million as well as $20 million in interest. Big Storm has not closed its Clearwater, Fla taproom and its fate remains unclear. The court's actions put Big Storm Brewing under Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, but under control of a trustee and not Govoni. The court could decide that the company has more value as a going concern than it does being sold off for parts. If that proves true, then it's more likely to be sold to an operator that wants to keep producing its beers and spirits. Related: Huge music retail chain closes all stores after 'bankruptcy' Big Storm has been very clear in its mission. "We're here to offer more than just a drink; we're sharing a slice of the Florida lifestyle with you, wherever you might be. Our mission? To transform each sip into a sun-drenched experience, a celebration of Floridian culture and zest. Our creations aren't just products; they're invitations to embrace the laid-back, sunny essence of Florida," it posted on its website. Big Storm's operations have continued and it still sells beer and spirits regionally and locally. It's likely to continue operating as long as it's seen as a positive to the estate. The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Tories will 'wield claymore' on spending, says Findlay
Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay has pledged to save £650m from the Scottish budget if elected at next year's Holyrood election. Findlay said he would achieve this by introducing a Taxpayer Saving Act to "cut red tape and get a grip on spending" alongside a Scottish Agency of Value and Efficiency (Save) to "wield a claymore" on waste. Findlay told the party's conference in Edinburgh he would put "streamlining" the Scottish government at the heart of his plans if elected next year. He urged voters to back the Scottish Conservatives over Reform UK, adding a vote for Nigel Farage's party would only result in "another five years of SNP government". In his keynote speech to members, Findlay accused John Swinney's government of "wasting untold sums of public money". He said the party would shut down government quangos, reduce the number of ministers and advisors and cut the size of the civil service to levels last seen 10 years ago in order to "deliver better value". Badenoch calls for end to oil and gas windfall tax Why Reform was the other big winner in the Hamilton by-election Money regained from the Taxpayer Saving Act would be used to reduce taxes, he told the conference at Murrayfield Stadium. Save, which would be run by business leaders, would be tasked with cutting government "waste," while an Accountability and Transparency Index would be introduced as a way of "shining a light" on organisations which receive public funding. He also said a £20,000 pay rise for ministers would be reversed. Findlay told party members: "There will be no more jobs for the SNP boys. "Putting a stop to wasteful spending is top of our agenda. "We need to urgently streamline bloated government." He added: "Improving services means treating people's money with respect." Findlay also revealed plans to scrap the SNP's 2045 net zero target and replaced the Just Transition Fund with an Affordable Transition Fund aimed at supporting oil and gas workers. On Friday, the UK Conservative leader, Kemi Badenoch, used her speech at the conference to call for an end to the windfall tax in the North Sea. Findlay said residents would be given new powers to oppose "mega-pylons" and would end the current presumption against new nuclear energy in Scotland. The Conservative leader claimed pupils in schools were being "written off" and that "woke ideas" were being pushed on children "at the expense of vital knowledge". Findlay said his party offered a "common sense vision" for Scotland. But he said those considering abandoning the party in favour of Reform would only help the SNP hang on to power. Aberdeenshire councillor Lauren Knight became the latest Conservative councillor to defect to Reform on Friday, stating she felt "let down" by the party. Reform also finished ahead of the Conservatives in the recent Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election, which saw the Tory vote fall by 11.5%. Findlay described Farage's spending plans as "fantastical" and said only his party could "shake up Scottish politics". He said: "Reform pretend they can do it, but all they'll achieve is another five years of SNP government. "As we saw at the General Election, and as every poll shows, Reform increases the chance of the SNP winning." He added: "Maybe it's because Nigel Farage says he's not worried about the SNP getting another five-year term. "Well we are worried about the SNP, Nigel, because we live here. "But we can't spend our time focusing on Reform because it's what we do that matters most."
