Stewart Downing has revealed details of his extravagant spending habits to a jury at York Crown Court today. The Aston Villa player’s outgoings include £45,000 on a home cinema, another £45,000 on a conservatory and £6,000 on a walk-in wardrobe.
Downing, 26, was giving evidence on the second day of the trial of his former agent, who is accused of fraud.
York Crown Court 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.
Today, Downing confirmed an account had in excess of £2 million going through it. He also confirmed that £136,000 had been left in the account to pay for a variety of luxury items.
The former Middlesbrough midfield player told the jury that 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.
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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.
Robin Patton, defending Elliott, responded by saying: “That’s if you know what you are doing with your money.”
Elliott, 53, of Newcastle, denies all the charges.