A BROTHER of the Society of St John the Evangelist (SSJE) was
given a conditional discharge for two years after pleading guilty
to 11 counts of fraud, committed between September 2010 and
December 2011, at Westminster Magistrates Court on 31 July.
Brother James Simon appeared in court in his lay name of Dr
Morley Stuart, facing 22 charges of fraud. He had stolen £3750 from
the Fellowship of St John the Evangelist (UK) Trust Association
during his time as a trustee.
He had repaid the entire sum before the court hearing, and
resigned as a trustee in January 2012 immediately after being
arrested. Now retired, he lives as a religious solitary in
Norfolk.
Fr Charles Card-Reynolds, chairman of the Fellowship of St John
(UK) Trust Association, said of Dr Stuart: "He knows that he acted
foolishly out of fear, and is sorry for the upset and hurt this has
caused. The trustees have put robust procedures and processes in
place to ensure that such a thing could not happen again. The Trust
has recently welcomed a new trustee, set up a new office, and
appointed an executive officer. This year marks a new start for the
Trust."