Andy Pilley, Owner of Fleetwood Town, Sentenced for Multi-Million Pound Scam

Published on July 4

Andy Pilley Receives 13-Year Prison Sentence

Andy Pilley, the former head of Fleetwood Town Football Club, has been imprisoned for orchestrating a fraud scheme that tricked companies into entering costly energy agreements.

An inquiry by trading standards revealed that Pilley falsely marketed gas and electricity plans and published fabricated customer reviews online.

Last month, the 53-year-old Pilley, a resident of Thornton-Cleveleys in Lancashire, stepped down as the chairman and club director of the League One team following his conviction. He has now been sentenced to 13 years behind bars.

Charges and Convictions

Pilley was convicted in Preston Crown Court on various charges, including two counts of operating a business with fraudulent intent towards creditors, a count of false representation, and another concerning the retention of illegal assets.

Three additional individuals were also incarcerated for their involvement in the fraudulent operation.

Court’s Remarks

During the sentencing, Judge Knowles KC stated that a “team of deceptive telemarketers fooled a considerable number of upright and honest business owners” into signing “prolonged and costly” energy agreements worth tens of millions of pounds.

The judge emphasized that Pilley “constructed and maintained a complex illusion that the sales team was not connected to the energy suppliers.” He clarified that “in reality, Pilley owned these companies and was the decision-maker.”

Previous Offenses and Lost Opportunities

While the supply companies were under the supervision of Ofgem, their sales arms were not regulated. Judge Knowles KC mentioned that Pilley, who had previously served a four-month jail term in 1998 for a conspiracy to steal from the Post Office, “had the opportunity for an inspiring comeback story.”

“Instead, it has been reduced to a grim narrative of deceit, avarice, and illegal activity,” the judge added.

Company’s Statement

Pilley was listed as a director of BES Utilities, a Fleetwood-based independent commercial utility provider. The company stated that the convictions were “directed solely at individuals, not the corporation,” and confirmed that Pilley was no longer employed.

Fleetwood Town FC announced that the convictions do not pertain to the club or any affiliated businesses and operations will continue as usual. The club is also in talks with the EFL about the ramifications of the convictions and plans to apply for a change in ownership.

Investigation Background

The probe into the fraud began in 2014, led by Trading Standards. Kate Jones, from the North West Regional Trading Standards, expressed her satisfaction with the outcome on behalf of all the small business victims, stating that the hard work put into the case was “absolutely worth it.”

Lord Michael Bichard, the chairman of National Trading Standards, remarked, “Small business proprietors were intentionally misled into signing lengthy and expensive energy contracts, resulting in severe financial strains and causing some to go under.”

The issue of restitution and asset seizure orders is set to be discussed in an upcoming hearing, added the NTS.