STATEMENT FROM PAUL SCOTNEY IN RELATION TO THE APPEAL BOARD’S FINDINGS REGARDING SINES, CRICKMORE, GOLD, GOLD AND MILCZAREK

10 Apr 2012 Pre-2014 Releases

Following the publishing of the Appeal Board’s findings, Paul Scotney, Director of Integrity Services, Compliance and Licensing for the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), said:

“As was said at the time of the initial hearing, the scale and complexity of this case remains unprecedented in the history of BHA. Consequently from the perspective of the BHA’s Integrity and Compliance team, it is rewarding that the Appeal Board has endorsed the findings of the Disciplinary Panel regarding the activities of the individuals at the heart of the conspiracy.

“Indeed, to quote the Appeal Board, they said “taken as a whole the BHA’s case against Maurice Sines and James Crickmore was a strong one”, adding that “…this conspiracy and particularly the conduct of Sines and Crickmore struck at the heart of the integrity of racing. It must be made clear to all those who contemplate taking part in this sort of conspiracy, in whatever capacity, that they must expect that the penalties for doing so will be severe”.

“We accept the decision of the Appeal Board to allow the appeal of Kirsty Milczarek. It is the role of the Appeal Board to consider such appeals and additional evidence when presented. However, we stand by the original decision to include the race as one of the ten under scrutiny on account of the extraordinary betting patterns and the pattern of communication around the race.”

As a consequence of Kirsty Milczarek’s successful appeal, the penalties for both Maurice Sines and James Crickmore were reduced to 13 years disqualification, from the original penalty of 14 years. The period within which any application to remove Nick Gold’s exclusion should not be considered was reduced from 7 years to 5 years, as the Appeal Board regarded his conduct to be “on the same level of seriousness” as that of his father, Peter Gold.