Bank manager on theft charges

A Northamptonshire bank manager stole half a million pounds to fund selected businesses under his care, a court has heard.

Simon Clubley, a small business manager at Barclays Bank, is charged with stealing from his employers and wealthy foreign clients to pay off the overdrafts of some of his business customers.

Mr Clubley, 43, of Grange Road, Little Cransley, faces 25 charges of theft amounting to £503,297 which he is alleged to have stolen between March 1995 and June 1998.

He appeared at Northampton Crown Court on Tuesday, along with bank customers Michael and Matthew Kelly and Victoria Bateman.

Michael Kelly and his son, Matthew, are jointly charged with six counts of dishonestly obtaining a wrongful credit.

It is alleged that Mr Kelly, 61, of Kingsway, Kingsthorpe, Northamptonshire, and his son, Matthew, 33, of Fermoy Court in Little Brington, received £87,000 from Mr Clubley over the three-year period.

Also accused is Victoria Bateman, 33, of Upper High Street, Harpole, who faces six charges of dishonestly obtaining wrongful credit after allegedly receiving £30,000.

All have pleaded not guilty to the charges.