A finance boss faces jail after admitting he stole around £700,000 from the Duke of Northumberland. Wayne Ross, 47, of Blackthorn Drive, Blyth, Northumberland, was employed as a financial controller at Northumberland Estates, owned by the Duke, when he diverted large sums to himself in a fraud lasting more than ten years.
Guilty plea at Newcastle Crown Court
During an appearance at Newcastle Crown Court, Ross pleaded guilty to a charge of fraud. The charge stated that between December 2, 2014 and April 24, 2025, he abused his position as a financial controller, in which he was expected to safeguard and not act against the financial interests of the Duke, Ralph Percy, by transferring sums into his own account.
The figure on the indictment is £732,887.62, but Ross's barrister said he does not accept paying £46,000 of cheques into his account, so a basis of plea is likely to be submitted. Full details of the offending will not be outlined until the sentencing hearing.
Bail and sentencing date
Ross, who has no previous convictions, was released on bail and will be sentenced on December 18. Nick Lane, defending, said: "He understands there's no alternative but an immediate custodial sentence of some significant length."
Judge Penny Moreland ordered a psychiatric and pre-sentence report and told Ross: "I know you understand the inevitable sentence is one of immediate custody."
After the case, a spokesperson for Northumberland Estates said: "I can confirm that Wayne Ross was employed by Northumberland Estates as a Financial Controller from 17 September 2014 to 30 April 2025. Today, he pleaded guilty to a charge of Fraud by Abuse of Position. Sentencing is now a matter for the court."
