Neil Greatrex Explained

Neil Greatrex (1 April 1951, Basford, Nottinghamshire, England – 9 July 2019)[1] [2] was an English miner, trade unionist, fraudster and president of the Union of Democratic Mineworkers (UDM).

Early life

He attended Greenwood Drive Junior School and Mowlands Intermediate School in Kirkby-in-Ashfield. He then went to Ashfield Comprehensive School (Ashfield School, Kirkby-in-Ashfield).

Career

From a mining family, his grandfather, father, and three older brothers also worked as miners, one of his first jobs at the pit was working with the pit ponies.[3]

He worked at Bentinck Colliery, on the B6018 in the south-west of Kirkby-in-Ashfield, from 1965 to 1985.

UDM

The UDM was formed in 1985 after the miners' strike led to a split from the National Union of Mineworkers.

Fraud trial

With Mick Stevens (UDM general secretary), Greatrex appeared in court on 20 May 2011, accused of stealing almost £150,000 from a fund intended to help sick miners.[4] Their trial began in March 2012. Greatrex abused his position as a trustee of the fund by paying for work on his own home.[5]

On 3 April 2012 the jury found Greatrex guilty of all 14 charges, they found Stevens not guilty.[6] [7] [8] [9] Greatrex was advised by the judge to expect a custodial sentence.[7] He was jailed for four years.[10]

In December 2012, Birmingham Crown Court ordered Greatrex to repay over £200,000.[11]

Personal life

He married Sheila Waterhouse in 1972 and had two daughters (born 1975 and 1982). He lived in Teversal.

Greatrex died on 9 July 2019 from complications of a brain haemorrhage.[12]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Welfare Financial Services Limited - Company Profile - Endole. Suite.endole.co.uk.
  2. Web site: Neil GREATREX - Personal Appointments (free information from Companies House). Beta.companieshouse.gov.uk.
  3. http://www.bbc.co.uk/nottingham/content/articles/2008/05/09/neil_greatrex_interview_feature.shtml "A Lifetime in Mining"
  4. http://www.chad.co.uk/news/local/udm_leaders_neil_greatrex_and_mick_stevens_deny_charity_thefts_1_3402893 "UDM leaders Neil Greatrex and Mick Stevens deny charity thefts"
  5. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-17559985 Ex-Nottinghamshire union leader 'did not see invoices'
  6. http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/UDM-leader-guilty-stealing-miners-charity/story-15704549-detail/story.html UDM leader guilty of stealing from miners' charity
  7. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-17602275 Ex-Union of Democratic Mineworkers leader Neil Greatrex guilty of theft
  8. Emma Sword, Ex-miners' leader Neil Greatrex found guilty of theft, The Independent, 3 April 2012
  9. Web site: Volunteers needed to patrol city streets | This is Nottingham . www.thisisnottingham.co.uk . 2 February 2022 . https://archive.today/20130505162236/http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/Fall-grace-UDM-hero-Neil-Greatrex/story-15713544-detail/story.html . 5 May 2013 . dead.
  10. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-17866402 'Greedy' former union leader Neil Greatrex jailed for theft
  11. News: Miners' charity embezzler slapped with £200,000 reparation bill. 18 December 2012. Civil Society. 18 December 2012. Jonathan Last.
  12. News: Former UDM leader and miners strike figure Neil Greatrex has died. Mansfield and Ashfield Chad. 25 July 2019. 26 July 2019. Topping. Andrew.

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