Racing Post.....
Fallon texted 'they are watching me', court told
by John-Paul Ford Rojas
KIEREN FALLON sent a "revealing" series of text messages the day after winning a race that he was supposed to have lost as part of a race-fixing plot, a court heard on Monday.
The conspirators behind the plot calculated that his victory on Daring Aim at Newmarket had cost them £138,000, an Old Bailey jury was told.
But Fallon told Philip Sherkle, the alleged middleman in the scheme, how he feared: "They are watching me."
Fallon rode Daring Aim, which was owned by the Queen, to victory in the 6.15pm at Newmarket on July 23 2004.
JonathanCaplan QC, prosecuting, told jurors at Fallon's trial on race-fixing charges that the next day there followed a "revealing set of text messages" between the jockey and Sherkle.
Sherkle was allegedly the intermediary between Fallon and businessman Miles Rodgers, said to be at the centre of the conspiracy.
At 11.08am, Fallon texted to Sherkle: "Only this phone to use."
One minute later, Fallon wrote: "I will call you when I can."
At 12.17pm, Sherkle texted Fallon: "If u don't speak to me now I won't be able to help you."
Then at 12.22pm, Fallon replied: "They will take my licences off me if they drift like that last night. They are watching me."
Ten minutes later he wrote: "I will call you in 10 minutes."
There were two other texts to and from Sherkle found in Fallon's mobile, Mr Caplan told the jury.
One was sent at 7.17pm on July 27, from Sherkle.
"I am away weds morning just text as normal make sure u do please I don't want any grief from them when I get back thanks. hope u have a good week"
An undated message from Fallon to Sherkle read: "no I can't chance it".
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