A TV chef was swindled out of £150,000 by a couple working at his restaurant, a court heard yesterday.
Stephen Terry, 55, appeared on Great British Menu and was Gordon Ramsay’s best man.
2TV chef Stephen Terry was swindled out of £150,000 by a couple working at his restaurant, a court heard yesterdayCredit: WNS
2Nicola Nightingale has pleaded guilty to fraud, her husband Simon denies acquiring criminal propertyCredit: WNSOffice administrator Nicola Nightingale, 47 — responsible for paying wages and suppliers — persuaded him to let husband Simon, 50, do shifts helping with service.
Mr Terry thought he was paid £10 an hour — but Mrs Nightingale allegedly transferred more than £46,000 to her husband between May 2018 and February 2020.
Meanwhile the couple went on trips to Disney resorts in Europe and Florida and took anniversary trips to Morocco, Cardiff crown court heard — while making monthly payments to a debt management firm.
In March 2020, Mr Terry checked statements for The Hardwick in Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, to find bogus invoices.
He also found two £40,000 loans had been taken out in his name — and a £10,000 shortfall in the pension pot.
Mrs Nightingale has pleaded guilty to fraud.
Her husband, previously of Gilwern near Abergavenny, denies acquiring criminal property.
Trial continues.
Story Credit: thesun.co.uk