Former Football Club Owner's Conviction Appeal Dismissed by High Court
Andy Pilley, the former owner of Fleetwood Town Football Club who is currently serving a 13-year prison sentence for fraud, has failed in his bid to have his conviction overturned. The 55-year-old businessman appeared at the High Court in London over two days for an appeal that was ultimately dismissed by the presiding judges.
Background of the Fraud Case
Pilley was sentenced in 2023 following what was described as the largest prosecution ever undertaken by National Trading Standards. The court ruled that he had duped numerous firms into signing expensive energy contracts through fraudulent means, resulting in a multi-million-pound scheme. This conviction forced him to step away from his role at the League Two club, Fleetwood Town.
The Appeal and ADHD Defense Argument
During the appeal, Pilley's legal team, led by Adrian Darbyshire KC, argued that his conviction was unsafe due to an undiagnosed case of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Darbyshire contended that the condition was not considered during the original trial, which he claimed placed Pilley at a significant disadvantage.
Darbyshire outlined how ADHD symptoms—such as inattention, poor time management, difficulty following complex material, and hyperactivity—could have negatively impacted Pilley's performance as a defendant. He stated, "It's obvious that the applicant performed very badly in ways it is clear are completely consistent with ADHD symptoms." The defense argued that had the diagnosis been known, the trial process would have been conducted differently from start to finish.
Court Proceedings and Expert Testimony
Pilley watched the appeal proceedings via video link from prison. After deliberating for approximately ten minutes, Lord Justice Edis, along with two fellow judges, dismissed the appeal, ruling that the conviction must stand. Had the appeal succeeded, a retrial might have been ordered.
Professor Susan Young, a leading ADHD expert, provided evidence, revealing that Pilley's assessment occurred after a close family member was diagnosed. She noted that he displayed symptoms as a child, often playing truant and leaving school with only one 'O' Level qualification.
Prosecution's Counterarguments
Andrew Thomas KC, who prosecuted Pilley in the original trial, countered the ADHD defense by highlighting Pilley's past actions. Despite the alleged symptoms, Pilley had held an administrative role at the Post Office after school, which led to a prior imprisonment for theft. Thomas pointed out that upon release, Pilley thrived as a salesman and eventually managed 15 businesses employing 1,000 people, suggesting a level of functionality inconsistent with the defense's claims.
Darbyshire also referenced a statement from a juror who described Pilley's behavior toward the judge as "appalling," arguing this was indicative of his ADHD symptoms affecting the trial. However, the court ultimately found these arguments insufficient to overturn the conviction.
With the appeal dismissed, Andy Pilley will continue to serve his 13-year sentence, marking a significant chapter in one of the UK's most notable fraud cases linked to the sports industry.
