Mitchell Cowling avoids jail after £182,000 fraud scheme

Mitchell Cowling, son of U’s owner Robbie, attempted to sell false stock investments to his victim from February 2014 to December 2016.

The 36-year-old appeared before Chelmsford Crown Court on Friday afternoon to be sentenced after admitting to fraud and making fraudulent invoices to commit fraud.

Alex Wright, prosecuting, told the court the victim first met Cowling through a proposed business venture at Colchester United, which fell through.

Cowling and the victim later met again, around the time the victim’s parents had died, allowing them to inherit money from them.

They invested with Cowling, who said he was a stock exchange trader, through various five-figure transactions.

The prosecution told the court the only “genuine investment” was £40,000 to launch a clothing company with another businessman.

Police later obtained Cowling’s bank statements.

The court heard how Cowling, who had just £43 in his bank before the first payment was made by the victim, spent thousands on betting and trading websites, Virgin Holidays, and on other shopping.

A victim statement said they used all the inheritance from their parents for the investments.

The victim also described the “financial hardship and mental stress” they suffered, with the family forced to live in “less than satisfactory accommodation” and deprive their children of “fun times” whilst Cowling was holidaying in Dubai with “no conscience or shame”.

Ashley Hendron, mitigating, said how father, Robbie, who was present in court, had taken “all steps he could to try and help his son to repair some of the damage caused”.

Support - Colchester United owner Robbie Cowling was present in court during the case (Image: Richard Blaxall)

They also noted his family and work responsibilities as a 36-year-old father as well as how the money had been repaid.

Addressing the defendant, Jude Christopher Morgan said: “Rightly or wrongly, you are an individual in my judgement who has a sense of entitlement. You are also thoroughly dishonest.

“The sooner you recognise that, the sooner you will be able to put your life back into order and lead a life where you do not prey upon others in order to secure funds.”

Cowling was sentenced to two years imprisonment, suspended for two years.

He was also given 250 hours of unpaid work and ordered to pay thousands in victim compensation fees.