Jonathan Rowe, Hayle Rugby Club’s treasurer, is jailed for 18 months after stealing £185K for personal gain.
Rowe volunteered as treasurer for Hayle Rugby Club and started stealing around 2016. For six years, he took club money, almost bankrupting them. The court hearing happened in Truro. Rowe played for the club and Cornwall, highly regarded for years.
Sally Thomas replaced Rowe, noticing the club’s finances were wrong, with payments going to Rowe’s personal account. Rowe always dismissed money issues. The club trusted him for many years, never questioning further.
Rowe stole £185,535.80 from the club, with some payments unexplained. He labeled others as “coaching” fees to himself and lied about a £21,000 fine to HMRC. Rowe used £17,000 for a personal loan, spent £65,000 on credit card debt, and £31,000 on online gambling. He gave incomplete paperwork to the police, hiding the full amount he stole.
Rowe admitted his guilt in court this January for fraud by abuse of his position. His lawyer said gambling helped his mental state. The club chairman said Rowe’s actions almost led to club failure.
Since the change, the club has improved financially. They can now improve their facilities, previously lacking funds. Now they have money for a physio; the club is doing better in the league, with much healthier finances.
His lawyer stated he feels sorry. He was treasurer for thirty years, with twenty-four considered good. His mental health played a part. He lost his relationship with the rugby club, where he played since age seven.
The judge said clubs depend on volunteers who give time and money. Rowe used the club’s trust to steal. Rowe lied and forged documents, setting up bank accounts in his name and making excuses.
People trusted him for so long and never believed he would steal. The new treasurer quickly found his fraud. The club was close to failing; Rowe’s theft nearly put them out of business.
Rowe gambled with club money, wanting to look successful to his family. His actions almost destroyed the club. The judge sentenced him to 18 months in jail, with part served in prison, then probation. The court will decide how to repay.