Lorry driver, 56, ‘used £24,000 raised for Lee Rigby’s son, 2, in bid to launch his own flop music career’
A LORRY driver used money raised for Lee Rigby's two-year-old son to fund a flop music project, a court has heard.
Gary Gardner, 56, is said to have convinced the murdered soldier's wife to endorse charity claiming to raise money for their toddler son, Jack.
A court heard Gardner - who denies three counts of fraud - vowed to raise enough to set Jack "up for life" with celebrity-led events, including one starring 70s band Boney M.
But prosecutors say none of the £24,000 raised was ever given to Jack or his trust fund, with the cash actually going towards Gardner's unsuccessful record "Miss You Machine".
Captain Andrew Harris, who oversaw the Fusiliers Aid Society, told a jury how Gardner approached him soon after the soldier was murdered near Woolwich Barracks in London in 2013.
He said: "He contacted us because he felt strongly about the loss of Lee Rigby and wanted to do something as he was a father himself.
"He wanted to do something to help. He was particularly moved by young Jack who was two years old at the time.
"The first event he wanted to put on was a truck pull. Before that he made contact with Rebecca Rigby [Lee's wife] - we facilitated that."
Captain Harris told the court he had advised Gardner that it was difficult to make money from music singles, but assumed Gardner had contacts in the industry who would help.
He added he didn't know what Gardner did for a living until he heard him driving a truck during a phone call.
The Captain's testimony went on to cover the "grand" event that Gardner laid on to launch the record.
He also told described how Gardner was keen to use the Rigby family to "give some credence" to his events.
He said: "I would have asked how much money we had raised and I did not get a straight answer.
"I'm not aware that we ever received money as a result of the single.
"He was always after the Rigby family to come to his events - Becky and Jack - because they would give some credence and help the fundraising effort.
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"I thought he was well-meaning and genuine in his intention to support Lee Rigby's son."
Mr Gardner, of Medbourne, Leics, denies three counts of fraud.
The trial at Leicester Crown Court continues.
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