Bizarre: Person Uses MCC Membership Card Of A Dead Fan; Faces £10,000 Fine

In the first incident of its kind, a cricket fan recently used an expired MCC membership card of a dead person—to access secure areas of the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground. James Lattimer, was subsequently, handed an 18 month suspended prison sentence alongside a fine of £10,000.

His punishment also includes 150 hours of unpaid work, at Southwark Crown Court after Lattimer admitted the act of fraud. He committed the crime by purchasing the MCC membership card of a late member on eBay and pasted his picture upon it.

The 51-year-old subsequently gained access to exclusive areas of the ‘Meccah of Cricket’ after purchasing the ticket which had already expired in the year 2013.

Ironically the police caught him red-handed although the officials were investigating a separate matter.

Despite having committed fraud, Lattimer’s representative, Jonas Milner argued that his ‘desperation to experience the pavilion got the better of him’.

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Cricket fraudster fined £10,000 for illegally accessing exclusive areas of the Lord’s Cricket Ground:

When the issue was taken to the court, Lattimer’s attorney gave a rather dubious explanation for his client’s actions.

Milner said Lattimer’s crime was “an unattractive and naive ploy by a cricket fan who let his desperation to experience the pavilion get the better of him”.

Although the judge Michael Grieve QC exasperated over Lattimer’s fraud in his ruling by saying: “The forged document was your passport to a prestigious world and the best seats in the ground.”

He continued, “What you gained was very sought after. You acquired the privilege people wait half a lifetime to acquire.”

What’re the criteria to get a legal MCC Membership?

As per current rules, to attain membership at the MCC, a person needs to be endorsed by four current members of the elite club, and in the present circumstances, there is a 29-year waiting list for the same.

To join the MCC, one needs to submit a £1,000 joining fee, while it costs £600 every year thereafter.

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