A former long-serving headteacher at a prestigious private school in Suffolk has denied fraud after allegedly using the school’s credit card to pay for personal expenses, including tickets to watch cricket at Lord’s.
Julian Johnson-Munday, 63, who worked at Culford School near Bury St Edmunds, appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, where he pleaded not guilty to a charge of fraud by false representation.
The court heard allegations that Johnson-Munday made several unauthorised payments using the school’s credit card, including purchases for Lord’s cricket tickets, accommodation at the East India Company, and the personal use of school property namely a digger without permission.
Prosecutors allege the total value of the disputed transactions amounted to £2,724, with the intention of making a personal gain.
Johnson-Munday, of St Benedict’s Street, Norwich, spoke only to confirm his name and address and to enter his plea. He elected to stand trial before a jury and will next appear at Norwich Crown Court on 24 February.
District Judge Sam Goozee granted him unconditional bail until the next hearing.
Johnson-Munday worked at Culford School for 19 years before being suspended in January 2023. The independent boarding and day school, set within 480 acres of parkland surrounding an 18th-century mansion, charges fees of up to £36,000 a year.
The school has a notable list of former pupils, including MPs, senior finance executives, a former Rolls-Royce chairman, and the late football commentator John Motson. It has also previously been reported that the Prince and Princess of Wales considered the school for Prince George.
In a statement, Culford School said it was aware of the ongoing legal proceedings involving its former headmaster and confirmed it was co-operating fully with the authorities.
“As the Crown’s legal proceedings are currently active, the school will be making no further comment beyond what is already in the public domain,” the statement added.
