Ex-headmaster denies string of fraud charges

Ex-headmaster denies string of fraud charges

9 March 2016

A RETIRED Dromara headmaster, who was awarded an MBE for services to education, has denied a series of fraud allegations.

Seventy one  year-old Stanley Poots, who was headmaster of Dromara Primary School for 41 years, pleaded not guilty to 25 offences when he appeared at Craigavon Crown Court.

The charges include 10 of forgery, five of fraud by false representation, three of fraud by abusing his position, four of false accounting, two counts of using a false instrument and one of possessing an article to commit fraud.

The offences are alleged to have been committed between October 2006 and November 2011.

Poots is accused of forging an annual salary review, cashing cheques, creating false invoices, falsifying an expenditure sheet and a Big Lottery Fund application form.

A former president of the Ulster Teachers’ Union, Poots, whose address was given as c/o Dromara Primary School, from which he retired as principal in 2011.

A defence barrister told the court there were many complex issues associated with the case.

Poots was released on continuing bail to appear back in court on March 21.