Former Doncaster Tennis Club official must pay Â£132k or stay in jail

David Rainey, of Barham Road, Doncaster, was treasurer of the Yorkshire Lawn Tennis Association) when he stole money from the Association accounts over a period of almost five years.

Rainey admitted the offences and was jailed for two years at Hull Crown Court on July 21 last year.

The YLTA, run by volunteers, is responsible for the provision and upkeep of tennis clubs and community initiatives to promote the sport.

Police uncovered that between February 1, 2008 and December 1, 2012, he had stolen £289,024.79.

After Rainey claimed he had nothing to sell to pay back the Association, Humberside Police’s asset recovery investigation unit conducted a confiscation investigation which uncovered he had assets to the value of £132,000.

And, on January 21, the court made a confiscation order, further ordering all the monies paid by Rainey should be returned to the club.

Senior financial investigator Lorraine Baines said: “David Rainey was a particularly slippery character and it is due to the tenacity of the officer investigating the criminal case and the financial investigator delving into the financial background of Rainey that has secured the compensation order of £132,000 for the community association.

“Humberside Police will continue to work on this case until Rainey sells his assets and the proceeds are paid back to the Yorkshire Lawn Tennis Association.”

Rainey was a club stalwart at the Doncaster Lawn Tennis Club for more than 40 years and treasurer for several years.