Former professional footballer jailed over 400,000 money laundering handover

"James Keatings, 33, transferred the criminal funds on a street in Wishaw, North Lanarkshire, on June 28 last year. The former forward was seen on Young Street moving two boxes from his white transit van into another van, which then drove away, the National Crime Agency (NCA) said. When the second van was stopped by police, the boxes were found to contain 78 bundles of notes, totalling 390,040."

"Handing down his sentence, Sheriff Christopher Shead said custody was the only appropriate sentence given the nature of his offending. I recognise, as (Keatings' defence lawyer) Tony Graham KC has emphasised, that there are significant features of mitigation in this case, the judge said. But I regret I have come to the conclusion that a custodial sentence is the only appropriate disposal with regard to the gravity of the offence."

"Keatings' former clubs include Celtic, Hearts, St Johnstone and Dundee United and he was part of the Hibernian team that won the Scottish Cup in 2016. Keatings in action for Hearts in 2015 (Mark Runnacles/Getty Images) On August 20 at Falkirk Sheriff Court, he pleaded guilty to an offence under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. At the same court on Friday he was sentenced to 13-and-a-half months in prison."

James Keatings, 33, transferred criminal funds on Young Street in Wishaw, North Lanarkshire, on June 28 when he moved two boxes from his white transit van into another vehicle which then drove away. Police stopped the second van and found 78 bundles of notes totalling £390,040. A forensic examination found Keatings' fingerprints on the money, boxes and elastic bands. Keatings pleaded guilty at Falkirk Sheriff Court on August 20 to an offence under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 and was sentenced to 13-and-a-half months in prison. His defence said he agreed to move the cash in return for painkillers due to chronic hip pain that affected his football career; his former clubs include Celtic, Hearts, St Johnstone, Dundee United and Hibernian.

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