Towcester chief executive Kevin Ackerman charged by BHA
Tuesday 30 June 2015 18:18, UK
Towcester chief executive Kevin Ackerman and jockeys Michael Stainton and Claire Murray are among five people due to answer corruption charges before the disciplinary panel of the British Horseracing Authority on Thursday.
Along with David Greenwood and Kenneth Mackay, Ackerman, licensed jockey Stainton and ex-rider Murray are alleged to have conspired to commit a corrupt or fraudulent practice in relation to racing.
The charges relate to races featuring Ad Vitam at Kempton and Wolverhampton between November 2, 2011 and March 8, 2012.
Greenwood is alleged to have instructed Stainton and Murray not to ride the horse on its merits so it would not be placed and communicated inside information to betting exchange account holders about its prospects.
A previous BHA investigation featuring Greenwood saw charges against him dropped in March this year.
Greenwood and Ackerman are represented by Stewart-Moore Solicitors Ltd, who issued the following statement: "Mr Greenwood and Mr Ackerman are extremely concerned by their treatment at the hands of the BHA. This firm, having represented Mr Greenwood in two prior sets of failed proceedings brought by the BHA, shares those concerns. Mr Ackerman is merely collateral damage in the BHA's increasingly desperate and apparently endless pursuit of Mr Greenwood.
"In High Court proceedings brought by the BHA last year, the BHA's Head of Legal gave seriously misleading evidence supported by a signed Statement of Truth. The BHA's claim collapsed before trial and the BHA paid Mr Greenwood's costs. Similarly the BHA's case against Mr Greenwood in the recent Rumble Of Thunder Inquiry collapsed before the matter got to a hearing and again the BHA paid Mr Greenwood's wasted costs. Inexplicably the BHA's case in this latest inquiry relies almost entirely upon the evidence of the same individual who wrongly implicated Kate Walton in a conspiracy in the Rumble Of Thunder Inquiry.
"Needless to say both of our clients strenuously deny any wrongdoing. In light of the extraordinary manner in which the BHA has conducted itself in this matter, Ian Winter Q.C. will be making an application on behalf of Messrs Ackerman and Greenwood that the matter should be struck out as an abuse of process and submitting that they cannot be given a fair hearing.
"Frankly, the fact that the BHA has waited until less than 24 hours before the beginning of the hearing to announce this latest attack on Mr Greenwood speaks volumes."
Greenwood is currently an excluded person. The BHA said six working days have been set aside for the hearing.
