East Yorkshire ex-racing specialist admits using job to help win bets
Jack Bentham was caught after complaints from bookmakers about "irregular betting activity".
A man from East Yorkshire, who worked as a racing specialist at a news agency, has admitted fraudulently using his job to win £10,000 on bets.
It happened in October 2018 - when 24 year-old Jack Bentham, from Market Weighton, was working for the Press Association - now PA Media. He was caught after complaints from bookmakers Sky Bet and Paddy Power, about "irregular betting activity" in Goole.
Bentham will be sentenced next month - after pleading guilty to fraud by abuse of position at Hull Magistrates' Court on Monday.
The court clerk read the details of the charge before asking Bentham to enter a plea.
She said: "Between 13 October 2018 and 22 October 2018, at Howden, East Yorkshire, you committed fraud in that, while occupying a position, namely racing specialist, in which you were expected to safeguard, or not to act against, the financial interests of the Press Association, you dishonestly abused that position intending thereby to make a gain, namely winnings of approximately £10,000 for yourself."
James Byatt, prosecuting, said an investigation was launched after complaints from bookmakers, Sky Bet and Paddy Power, about "irregular betting activity" in Goole, East Yorkshire.
Mr Byatt told the court: "The defendant worked for the Press Association. Part of their business is setting the betting odds for bookmakers, including online bookmakers, including Sky Bet and Paddy Power."
He continued: "While the defendant was employed by the Press Association at the time, it is believed he manipulated race data to change the race results in his favour."
Mr Byatt said Bentham won around £10,000 on a Paddy Power account.
Nick Tubbs, defending, said Bentham had a gambling problem from the age of 18 and was employed by the Press Association around a month before committing the offences.
He said he had now addressed his gambling issues and accepted responsibility for the offences he has been charged with.
Jill Collinson, Chair of the Bench, told Bentham the magistrates would be committing his case to the crown court for sentencing and ordered a pre-sentence report.
Bentham was granted unconditional bail and will be sentenced at Hull Crown Court on September 14.