England’s Rugby Football Union has suspended Premiership referee David Rose who appeared in court on Monday to answer a benefit fraud charge.
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Rose, who turned 50 in August, was accused of claiming unemployment benefits – Jobseeker’s Allowance – between 20 February and 19 April 2013 while not disclosing he was being paid as a self-employed referee. He also allegedly falsely and dishonestly signed a claim form failing to declare he was a working referee on 21 February.
The amount in question is £700.
Rose had been expected in the Plymouth Magistrate’s Court on 15 November. When he did not arrive a warrant was issued for his arrest. The warrant was withdrawn on Monday when Rose was not required to plead. The case was adjourned to 2 December 2013.
The RFU suspended him.
Rose, who played for several clubs, became a referee in 1999. In 2003 he refereed his first premiership match.
Apart from his refereeing Rose was involved RFU programmes. He was a youth development officer, a sports coach for the IRB in the UK, part of the RFU’s refereeing department, head of development for the RFU for women and the referees’ development manager in the Midlands.