Monday 29th June, 2015

An ex-Lancashire, Somerset and Derbyshire cricketer has been jailed for two years for stealing over £100,000 earmarked for young players.

Andy Hayhurst, 52, of Worsley, Greater Manchester spent the money on lavish restaurants and luxury holidays, Manchester Crown Court was told.

The cricketer embarked on "a career of serial dishonesty" when he plundered money from the LCB and the Lancashire Youth Cricket Charitable Trust destined for the development of youth cricket, said the judge.

While playing part-time for Worsley Cricket Club, where he had started as a youngster, Hayhurst used headed paper to submit fake invoices to the LCB asking for money for coaching.

He then took the board's cheques - for up to £10,000 a time - to the club's treasurer saying the money was intended for them and the rest was due to be paid to other local clubs.

When a blank cheque was handed back to him from Worsley Cricket Club, he banked the cash for himself, Manchester Minshull St Crown Court heard.

Hayhurst pleaded guilty to fraud, theft, obtaining property by deception, false accounting and concealing criminal property.

Summarising a statement from the club, prosecutor Charlotte Crangle said Hayhurst was "held in high regard by all members" and even seen as a "hero" by some.

Ms Crangle said: "There is a feeling the club will be tainted by his actions, it will struggle to receive grants in the future."

Hayhurst played for the Red Rose county between 1983 and 1989. He went on to become captain of Somerset before ending his cricketing career with a brief spell at Derbyshire.