Football star was 'fleeced by agent'

Football star was 'fleeced by agent': "ENGLAND football star Stewart Downing has accused his former agent of fraud after discovering only £11,000 in a bank account that he believed contained between £600,000 and £700,000.

However, his former representative, Ian Elliott, 53, argued that the money had been spent legitimately by Mr Downing on items that included luxury cars, holidays and home improvements, as well as services provided by Mr Elliott.

The former Middlesbrough FC winger told a jury at York Crown Court yesterday that he found only £11,000 in an account that he believed contained up to £700,000.

Mr Elliott is accused of siphoning off money to prop up failing business ventures. He denies four charges of fraud."