ALFRETON TOWN say they will stick by midfielder Adam Smith after he was given a suspended two-year jail sentence for fraud.
The 31-year-old pleaded guilty to fraudulently claiming £22,278.27 from retailer TK Maxx between November 18 and December 22, 2015.
Derby Crown Court heard how the former Chesterfield winger targeted several stores and “charmed” cashiers into falling for his receipts con.
Smith bough hundreds of pounds worth of designer goods on a credit card but would then tell store staff he paid on the wrong card. He would be refunded and then pay again with a second card.
However, he would keep the original receipt and claim the cash back at another TK Maxx store. Smith used four different credit cards to carry out the scam and also coerced two other people to fraudulently return goods for refunds.
A TK Maxx security guard tipped off police, who then discovered a folder containing receipts and tags from TK Macc in Smith's car after arresting him on the M42.
Ex-Mansfield, Lincoln, York, Halifax and Guiseley man Smith was handed a two-year jail sentence suspended for two years.
An Alfreton statement read: “Firstly, the club had no knowledge of Adam's past activities thus the current contextual situation does not affect ATFC.
“Adam has been fully co-operational in ATFC's brief investigation which saw the club meet with the player about the issue. Adam explained the details fully and showed great remorse over his actions which happened 13-14 months ago.
“ATFC would also like to stress that the events which Adam was involved with took place when the player was not an Alfreton Town footballer, thus the club cannot comment on events which did not immediately or subsequently effect the club's position and reputation. Therefore, it was agreed that ATFC support the player.
“ATFC would also like to emphasise that the club does not support fraud or any kind of fraudulent activity, the club will continue to support Adam through this period.”
