Detectives hunting Cobblers "missing millions' ready send files to prosecutors this month

Detectives probing the "missing millions" from a loan to Northampton Town will send evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service within the next two weeks, police have confirmed.

Police have compiled dossiers on 30 people over the disappearance of a £10.25m lent to the Cobblers by Northampton Borough Council in 2013 and 2014.

The cash was supposed to be used to redevelop the East Stand at Sixfields.

The cost of Operation Tuckhill — a four-year inquiry into where the money went — has now reached £1.2m but police say the first batch of evidence will be sent to prosecutors later this month.

A Northamptonshire Police spokesman said: "It is anticipated that over the next six months CPS will be provided with the material they require to make decisions in respect of all those under investigation.

“The 30 individuals under investigation will be split into different clusters with the evidence submitted in batches relating to the different offences under investigation.

"It is anticipated that the first batch will be submitted within the next fortnight allowing Prosecutors to consider how to proceed."

As previously reported, detectives conducted more than 100 interviews under caution relating to allegations including bribery, fraud, money laundering and misconduct in public office during the investigation. More than 1,400 lines of inquiry have been followed up and 5.2 million computer files looked into.

Police warn a backlog in the courts as a result of coronavirus could delay any proceedings.