Clayton’s former PA owned 22 horses, court told

The former personal assistant of Adam Clayton accused of stealing nearly €3m from him owned up to 22 thoroughbred racehorses with her former husband, a court has heard.

Carol Hawkins and John Hawkins, who was employed as Mr Clayton’s driver at the time, were on a joint salary of €48,000 in 2006 when 17 of the horses, including racehorses and brood mares, were in their ownership through their racing company, Plato Racing.

Ms Hawkins, aged 48, of Lower Rathmines Road, Dublin, has pleaded not guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to 181 counts of theft from Mr Clayton over a four-year period from 2004 to 2008. The alleged thefts totalled €2,862,567.