Court told of spending by Premiership star

Stewart Downing, 26, was giving evidence on the second day of the trial of his former agent who is accused of fraud.

York Crown Court has heard how Ian Elliott allegedly siphoned off large amounts of money from one of Downing’s bank accounts to prop up his failing business projects.

Yesterday, Downing confirmed an account had in excess of £2m going through it. He also confirmed £136,000 had left the account to pay for a variety of luxury items.

As well as the home cinema, he spent £30,000 on a home extension, £6,000 on a walk-in wardrobe and £45,000 on a conservatory. Other expenditure included £6,000 on a bathroom. He also gave his family £180,000 over a number of years, the jury was told.

The former Middlesbrough FC midfielder told the jury the account should have had £600,000 to £700,000 in it from his earnings.

He said a firm of accountants discovered just £11,000 in the account.

Downing said there was a “massive amount” of money going into the account and he would have expected to see more than a few thousand pounds.

“If you look at the money that had gone out, there should have been more than £11,000,” he told the jury during cross-examination.

Elliott, 53, of Foxhills Covert, Newcastle, denies fraud charges.

The trial continues