A man accused of stitching an electrical device into his shorts at the Australian tennis open as part of a gambling scam is from New Malden.

Daniel Dobson, 22, of Eaton Avenue, is on trial in Melbourne accused of helping gambling associates beat the time lag on TV images of the Australian Open.

He is accused of 'courtsiding' - taking advantage of delayed television coverage by transmitting live scores to a gambling syndicate in order to beat live betting odds.

It is claimed Mr Dobson used an electrical device stitched into his shorts at Melbourne Park to send point-by point updates to the gambling ring, a claim Mr Dobson denies.

He has bailed until next week to return to Melbourne Magistrates' court.

A former school friend of Mr Dobson, who attended Christ Church infants in Lime Grove New Malden, said: "It's quite a shock to come home and find someone you used to go to school with all over the news.

"I haven't spoken to him in about 10 years now, although I think I've seen him in passing occasionally."

Another former school colleague said Mr Dobson attended Richard Challoner secondary school.

A middle-aged woman entered his house this afternoon, a semi-detached home in a quiet road off South Lane but declined to speak to reporters.

The company Mr Dobson works for, Sporting Data, has issued a statement saying: "One of our employees has been accused of the very serious crime of match-fixing at the Australian Open and we shall do everything we can to fight this grossly unfair accusation.

"Sporting Data has never been and never will be involved in any illegal betting or any other illegal activity whatsoever and take a serious view of any allegations that they have.

"Sporting Data has never been and never will be involved in any type of match-fixing. We encourage a more proactive stance against those who are involved in match-fixing."

In Mr Dobson's Linked In profile the Loughborough University graduate describes himself as a freelance graphic and product designer with previous employers including One and Waitrose.

 

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