Welch, the former chief of the Digital Industries North West initiative, has now pleaded guilty to two charges at Warrington Crown Court – that of ‘obtaining money transferred by deception’ and ‘theft’.

For those of you that failed to tune into How-Do prior to the point when we were forced/advised to take down our stories relating to Welch’s case (we imagine we can re-publish them after sentencing) the details of proceedings may seem about as murky as the defendant’s true past.

Welch, trumpeted as the great white hope of the digital sector in the region and apparently ‘a self made millionaire’, was drafted in to run the DINW, which was funded by the North West Development Agency, between five and six years ago.

However, ‘alleged financial irregularities’ at the body were investigated by the NWDA in 2004 and, as a result, the matter was handed over to the police and an investigation took place.

The eventual outcome of this was that Welch was charged in relation to some £440,000 of public money that could not be accounted for.

How-Do learnt at the end of last week though that he had changed his plea to guilty on the theft and deception charges.

A clerk at Warrington Crown Court confirmed this, informing us that Welch had pleaded guilty on “counts five and six” and would now be sentenced on 14 November.

The official could not reveal any information at the time of writing with regard to Hunt’s case.

Several prominent members of the digital community in the region were apparently called as potential witnesses in the case, but due to Welch’s change of heart were not forced to take the stand.

Did you enjoy this article? Please share it!

Comments (1)