Claims juror on Fleetwood Town FC owner Andy Pilley's £15m fraud case offered £20,000 to fix trial in Preston

Claims have been made a juror at a trial of Fleetwood Town Football Club owner Andy Pilley was offered £20,000 to find him guilty.

Disgraced businessman Andy Pilley, who also owns a number of energy companies, was jailed for 13 years for mis-selling expensive energy contracts to the tune of £15m in July.

Now a juror at the Preston Crown Court trial, whrich ran from October to March, has told the Mail Sport he was approached in a park by two ‘thick-set’ men and offered a bribe.

The whistleblower says he was approached as the trial was being heard and told there would be ‘consequences’ should he not accept the bribe, which others on the jury had allegedly taken.

In a panic, he fled overseas and was excused from duty. But when Pilley was locked up for more than a decade after being found guilty of fraud, the juror, who has asked to remain anonymous, reported the matter to police.

He says hours later they informed him they would not be taking the matter further. However, after being contacted by Mail Sport, Lancashire Police say they have reviewed the matter and CID officers are now investigating.

The juror said: "Everyone deserves a fair trial and people need to know what happened."

Lancashire Police have been contacted for comment.

READ MORE

Victims of Fleetwood Town football boss Andy Pilley describe fraud as ‘inhumane’ and leaving them suicidal

Disgraced Fleetwood Town Football Club owner Andy Pilley jailed at Preston Crown Court for £15m fraud

Here is what Judge Graham Knowles had to say to Andy Pilley and his co-accused at Preston Crown Court