It is one of the most sought-after and exclusive places to watch sport in the whole world - the member's pavilion at the prestigious Lord's Cricket Ground. But a businessman who used a dead man's prized membership card to get into the famous London sporting venue, which is more than 200 years old, was on Wednesday fined £10,000 for his deception.
James Lattimer avoided jail but judge Michael Grieve told him his actions were "despicable". Southwark Crown Court in south London was told the 51-year-old put his photograph onto a card he had bought on eBay which belonged to a member who died in 2014.
He then bought a general ticket to enter the ground but carried the card to get into the exclusive pavilion, while also wearing the stripy red and gold "egg-and-bacon" tie favoured by members.
Lattimer though was stopped by security. He later pleaded guilty to fraud in November. The court heard that Lord's membership is "very sought-after". It costs £1,000 (1,140 euros, $1,285) to become a member, with an additional £600 annual fee.
There is also a 29-year waiting list for membership with 12,000 people on it, the court heard. Sentencing, judge Grieve said: "The use of a deceased person's identity for any purpose is despicable and likely to cause great distress to (their) relatives."
He added: "The forged document was your passport to a prestigious world and the best seats in the ground. "What you gained was very sought after. "You acquired the privilege people wait half a lifetime to acquire." Lattimer, from Bournemouth in southern England, stood in the dock and did not react as he was handed a 10-month sentence, suspended for 18 months.
He was told he must also pay a £10,000 fine as well as prosecution costs of £425, and carry out 150 hours of unpaid work. The judge acknowledged Lattimer, who runs a corporate cleaning company, had been "very publicly disgraced" over the offence.
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