'Footie wives' conman jailed

A CONMAN who stole £500,000 from his bosses for a “Footballers’ Wives” lifestyle was jailed for four years yesterday.

Ian McQuisten, 37, wrote company cheques to pay for three cars — including an £84,000 Bentley, a luxury house and holidays abroad.

He and wife Clare mixed with the rich and famous at Royal Ascot and in his private box at Premiership club Reading.

They lived in a £750,000 house in Reading which McQuisten extended using stolen money.

He threw lavish parties and ran up a bill of £159,000 on his Barclaycard alone.

McQuisten also blew £150,000 in a year on internet gambling.

He diverted £131,000 into his wife’s estate agency business in Reading. She was unaware the money had been stolen.

McQuisten admitted fraud at Plymouth Crown Court.

After the case Det Con Andy Foster said: “When we arrested him at his home it was like something from Footballers’ Wives.”

He worked as financial controller of Exeter-based data firm Prodat and forged a fellow accountant’s counter signature.