A former headteacher of a top independent school who is accused of dishonestly using its funds for cricket tickets and luxury accommodation will have to wait nearly two years before standing trial.
Julian Johnson-Munday, 63, appeared before Norwich Crown Court today after denying fraud by false representation at Westminster Magistrates Court last month and electing for a trial by jury.
The long-haired, 63-year-old walked in and out of court wearing a fur-trimmed coat over a dark jacket and black skirt, a black and white blouse and purple leggings with a matching purple scarf and black shoes with a pearl-style buckle while holding a large handbag.
Johnson-Munday, who was reportedly suspended in January 2023 from £36,000-a-year Culford School near Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, spoke only to confirm their name during the ten-minute hearing.
Judge Alice Robinson listed the trial at the court to start on February 21, 2028, and stated that it was expected to last five days.
She released Johnson-Munday on unconditional bail after stating that attending court would be required again on April 9 this year for another pre-trial hearing.
A solicitor who accompanied Johnson-Munday to court told reporters after the ten-minute hearing to refer to the defendant as 'they or them'.
Johnson-Munday earlier denied using the school's credit card to splash out on Lord's tickets and to pay for accommodation at the East India Company, as well as using the school's digger for 'personal use' without permission.
Julian Johnson-Munday, 63, denies fraud by false representation while headteacher of £36,000-a-year Culford School near Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk
The court heard today how the charge had since been amended into two separate charges, stating that Johnson-Munday used the school's credit card to pay for 'accommodation, parking fees and sporting tickets'.
The alleged offences between November 18, 2021 and August 21, 2022, are said to amount to the dishonest use of £2,724.
Prosecutor Ian James told the hearing there was duplication in the two existing charges and he wanted the inditement to be potentially broken down into different charges for each alleged act of fraud.
He stated the defence had not objected to such a move as Johnson-Munday would still be denying any wrong-doing 'no matter how these allegations are phrased'.
Mr James added that there should not be an arraignment today to allow the prosecution to produce an indictment 'which properly reflects the allegations in a way that better reflects what happened'.
He said: 'We can deal with matters in principle such as the time estimate. We know the allegations will be denied, whatever form they take.'
Tom Parker, defending, said he had no objections to the indictment being changed.
Judge Robinson also ruled that the prosecution should disclose its evidence to Johnson-Munday's defence team by April 6.
Johnson-Munday was suspended from the school three years ago when investigators started looking into what allegedly happened
Culford School's alumni include MPs, finance chiefs, a former Rolls-Royce chairman, and sports presenter John Motson
The defendant appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court in London last month, where they elected to have a jury trial
Releasing Johnson-Munday on unconditional bail, she told them: 'You have to attend court again on April 9. It's your responsibility to attend court when required.
'If you fail to do so, the case will go ahead without you. Failure to attend is also an offence for which a warrant for your arrest may be issued.'
Johnson-Munday worked for almost two decades at Culford School and is understood to have been living within its 480 acres of grounds.
The school, which takes male and female pupils up to the age of 18, was founded in 1881 and moved to Culford Park, near Bury St Edmunds, in 1935.
Its 18th-century mansion was named one of Britain's six most architecturally beautiful schools by Tatler magazine in 2019.
The Prince and Princess of Wales, who have a home on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk, are understood to have considered sending Prince George there.
The school's alumni include MPs, finance chiefs, a former Rolls-Royce chairman, and sports presenter John Motson.
