Geraldine Coates

A woman named Geraldine Coates is currently facing legal proceedings in the UK related to charges of fraud by abuse of position. She is accused of defrauding the Honiton and District Agricultural Association (HDAA), a charity, out of more than £200,000.

Key facts and dates are as follows:

• Accused Period of Fraud: The alleged fraud occurred between April 2009 and August 2018, during which time Geraldine Coates served as the treasurer for the HDAA.
• Initial Court Appearance: Geraldine Coates appeared at Exeter Magistrates' Court on January 29, 2025, charged with committing fraud.
• Plea and Transfer to Crown Court: She did not indicate a plea at the initial hearing, and District Judge Stuart Smith determined the case was not suitable for magistrates, remanding her on unconditional bail.
• Not Guilty Plea: On February 28, 2025, Coates pleaded not guilty to the charge of fraud by abuse of position at Exeter Crown Court.
• Trial: Her trial was scheduled to take place at Exeter Crown Court in May 2026 and is estimated to last approximately three weeks.
• Current Status: As of May 28, 2026, Geraldine Coates, aged 59, of Kings Road in Honiton, was standing trial at Exeter Crown Court. The prosecution alleges that she took advantage of her position and trust over nine years to siphon funds for her personal benefit, transferring money directly into her own account. Coates denies the charge.
• Upcoming Hearing: A public court record also indicates a hearing for Geraldine Coates at Exeter Law Courts on June 10, 2026, at 10:30 AM, listed as a Magistrates' Court hearing with the Crown Prosecution Service as the prosecutor (Case Reference: 50KH7002922).

The case has drawn attention due to the scale of the alleged fraud and has raised questions about financial oversight in charitable organizations. The trial is ongoing, and more details are expected to emerge as it progresses.