Former Hilton managers charged

Seven ex-managers at the 794-bedroom Hilton Metropole in Birmingham have been charged with conspiracy to steal.

The six men and one woman worked for the luxury hotel's banqueting division. They were arrested last summer.

It is alleged that the former Hilton event managers fraudulently claimed agents' fees on conference bookings between January 2000 and December 2003. The seven, who are all currently on bail, have yet to enter their pleas.

The case was committed from Solihull magistrates' court to Warwick Crown Court for a hearing on 12 May.

The defendants are John Flynn, 41, from Castle Bromwich, Joseph Hockridge, 35, from Middlesbrough, Justin Clark-Vine, 33, from Tamworth, John Kreft, 43, from Solihull, Richard Palmer, 42, from Birmingham, Roger Lyne, 53, from Solihull, and Rachel Clarke, 27, from Solihull.

A Hilton Spokesman said: "Hilton is unable to comment on any ongoing police investigation."

by Tom Bill

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