STATEMENT BY TRUSTEES OF THE MERIDALE ORGANISATION
17th March 2025
Daniel Mark Turner was suspended and, subsequently, summarily dismissed by the Trustees in May 2022 for gross negligence and misconduct in relation to personal misuse of Meridale IT systems.
At the time, Turner was a Trustee, Centre Manager under the Senior Centre Manager and a leader with Meridale Youth Groups. Following his dismissal, a thorough review and audit of all Meridale activities where Turner had responsibilities was conducted by the Trustees. The Trustees liaised with the Charity Commission, Lincolnshire Police, Action Fraud, the local MP and also sought legal advice.
This was a very thorough process, taking several months and followed a trail of email communications and banking transactions to gain a full picture of Turner’s activities. In December 2022, Action Fraud referred the matter for a second time to Lincolnshire Police, who agreed to formally open an investigation. The Trustees have been unable to comment publicly whilst investigations and due legal process have been underway.
In February 2025, the Crown Prosecution Service approved charges of fraud by false representation and fraud by abuse of position. On 17th March at Boston Magistrates Court, Turner, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to fraud offences totaling in excess of £28,600 and was bailed to appear at Lincoln Crown Court for sentencing on a date to be determined following probation reports.
Today, 17th March 2025, marks the passing of John Monk MBE, a founder of Meridale, in 2019. Turner had regarded him as a father figure and made much of continuing his good work. Turner engineered the trust of the Monk family and David, John’s son, in particular, who were coming to terms with their loss. They see the defendant’s actions as a complete betrayal of everything that John stood for, including support at Meridale that John had selflessly given to him at personal cost, despite his terminal illness. Highly emotional feelings have not subsided.
Turner’s actions significantly deprived The Meridale Organisation of funds. This financial loss has delayed or curtailed projects and activities of direct benefit to the community of Sutton-on-Sea, Trusthorpe and Mablethorpe which could otherwise have been undertaken. Meridale Trustees are determined to mitigate this through robust pursuit of compensation via the Proceeds of Crime legislation. Trustees remain united in their determination to advance the objectives of bringing people together providing social, cultural, recreational and educational facilities for the community. We are very fortunate to have a community which values this, evidenced by the fantastic support given to Meridale for sixty years. Together, and with justice finally delivered, Meridale will go from strength to strength.
This statement may be downloaded in PDF format below.
 Statement by the Trustees | 338 kB |