Richard Forrest has been fined £10,000 for obtaining information from West Ham officials during the bidding process for the Olympic Stadium
A CRAWLEY man who illegally obtained personal information from West Ham officials during the bidding process for the Olympic Stadium has been fined thousands of pounds.
Richard Forrest, from Furzefield, in West Green, was fined £10,000 at Southwark Crown Court today (December 20).
Forrest, a 31-year-old who is unemployed, pleaded guilty to obtaining personal data last month in relation to taking phone bills and bank statements, from members of West Ham and the Olympic Park Legacy Company.
Lee Stewart, 40, of More Lane, in Esher, Surrey, was fined £13,500 and Howard Hill, 59 from Shrigley Road South, in Poynton, Stockport, Cheshire was fined £100,000 at the hearing.
All were ordered to pay the amounts for one count of obtaining personal data. Three counts (one for each defendant) of fraud by false representation were left to lie on file.
Officers from the Metropolitan Police Service's Special Enquiry Team launched an investigation in August 2011 following allegations by West Ham United Football Club and the Olympic Park Legacy Company relating to unlawful obtaining of information.
West Ham United, Tottenham and Leyton Orient all applied to use the stadium in Stratford after the 2012 London Olympics.
West Ham eventually came out on top in the bidding process but Hill, Forrest and Stewart were arrested after claims that Tottenham had spied on Olympic officials, something which the club has always denied.
A lengthy and complex investigation ensued which ultimately saw the three defendants arrested and subsequently charged.
A total of six people were arrested throughout the course of the investigation. The remaining three individuals were subsequently released no further action.
Detective Superintendent Nick Downing, from the Specialist Organised and Economic Crime Command, said: "The Special Enquiry Team conducted a thorough investigation in this complex case and we are pleased with today’s result which reflects the seriousness the courts place on this type of offence.
"The weighty fines issued should act as a deterrent to others that the unlawful accessing of individuals’ personal data by any means is totally unacceptable.”
