West Ham stars Andy Carroll, Aaron Cresswell and ex-manager Sam Allardyce were 'conned out of £7,000 by fraudster who sold them bogus luxury hampers' 

  • Andy Carroll, Aaron Cresswell, Sam Allardyce, Joey O'Brien, James Tomkins and Jamie Osman were caught up in the alleged scam 
  • 'Con-artist' is accused of offering Harrods and Fortnum & Mason hampers 
  • Stephen Ackerman today pleaded no guilty to 13 counts of fraud 
  • Judge claims original trial date didn't consider Euros or new season start

By Anthony Joseph for MailOnline

Published: 10:22 EST, 4 March 2016 | Updated: 14:01 EST, 4 March 2016

West Ham stars Andy Carroll, Aaron Cresswell and former manager Sam Allardyce were allegedly conned out of £7,000 by a fraudster who sold them bogus luxury hampers.

Full-back Joey O'Brien, centre-back James Tomkins and head of performance Jamie Osman are all said to have been duped by businessman Stephen Ackerman at the Premier League club's Chadwell Heath training ground in London. 

Today, a judge at Snaresbrook Crown Court hit out at the original date set for trial for not taking into consideration Euro 2016 and the start of the new season.

Andy Carroll, who earns in the region of £85,000 a week at West Ham, with his fiancée Billi Mucklow (right)

Andy Carroll, who earns in the region of £85,000 a week at West Ham, with his fiancée Billi Mucklow (right)

Now-Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce, who left the Hammers in May last year, parted with £270.

Now-Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce, who left the Hammers in May last year, parted with £270.

Stephen Ackerman, 47, from Loughton, Essex, today pleased not guilty to 13 counts of fraud by misrepresentation at Snaresbrook Crown Court

Stephen Ackerman, 47, from Loughton, Essex, today pleased not guilty to 13 counts of fraud by misrepresentation at Snaresbrook Crown Court

England international Carroll, who earns £85,000 per week, handed over £2,500 to Ackerman.

Now-Sunderland manager Allardyce, who left the Hammers in May last year, parted with £270.

Other victims include defender Cresswell (£180), head of performance Jamie Osman (£90) and full-back O'Brien (£1,200).

The alleged con-artist is accused of offering Harrods and Fortnum & Mason hampers at massively-cut prices to the stars and other staff in November 2014. 

Ackerman, 47, from Loughton, Essex, today pleased not guilty to 13 counts of fraud by misrepresentation at Snaresbrook Crown Court.

Wearing a dark blue suit and burgundy tie, he spoke only to confirm his name and enter his not guilty pleas.

All of those said to have been defrauded are expected to attend Ackerman’s trial on July 18 to give evidence against him.

Originally due to take place on August 30, the case has been moved forward in order to accommodate Euro 2016 scheduled for June 10 to July 10.

It will also avoid clashing with the start of next season’s Premier League - in which West Ham currently sit in sixth and only one point behind Manchester City in fourth place.

Joey O'Brien
Aaron Cresswell

Other victims include defender Aaron Cresswell (right), head of performance Jamie Osman  and full-back Joey O'Brien (left)

Today, a judge at Snaresbrook Crown Court hit out at the original date set for trial for not taking into consideration Euro 2016 and the start of the new season. Pictured is West Ham defender James Tomkins

Today, a judge at Snaresbrook Crown Court hit out at the original date set for trial for not taking into consideration Euro 2016 and the start of the new season. Pictured is West Ham defender James Tomkins

The 'con-artist' was offering cut-price hampers and champagne last month at West Ham's training ground

The 'con-artist' was offering cut-price hampers and champagne last month at West Ham's training ground

Judge David Radford said: 'I do not think days at the start of next season is going to be at all welcome.'

Asking whether all of the alleged victims would be required as witnesses, Sheryl Nwosu, defending, said: 'Yes, sir.'

Judge Radford added: 'I'm surprised that the person who fixed the first dates has not had the nous to work out that this is not a usual case.

'It involves professional footballers, and in fixing a date, the football season and the European Championships in the summer will need to be taken into account.

'There will undoubtedly be a public interest and season ticket-holders might be affected.

'Someone who reviews these cases should have the nous to realise.

'It may be that we will have to list it for after the European Championships.'

Babatunde Alabi, prosecuting, told the court that he was 'not a football fan' and admitted: 'I don't know when the European Championships are.'

Ackerman was bailed until his four-day trial on July 18.  

 

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