Former Scottish Footballer James Keatings Jailed 13 Months for Laundering Nearly £400,000 in North Lanarkshire

James Keatings, a former professional footballer known for his time with clubs including Celtic, Hearts, Hibs, and Dundee United, was sentenced to 13-and-a-half months in prison for attempting to launder nearly £400,000 in criminal cash. He was caught transferring two boxes containing 78 bundles of notes totaling £390,040 from his transit van to another vehicle in Wishaw, North Lanarkshire, with his fingerprints found on the money, boxes, and elastic bands. Keatings pleaded guilty to the offense under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, with his lawyer stating he agreed to move the cash in exchange for painkillers to manage chronic pain from a long-standing hip injury that ended his football career. The court recognized mitigating factors such as his deteriorating lifestyle and mental health but deemed a custodial sentence necessary due to the gravity of the offense. Officials from the National Crime Agency and Police Scotland emphasized their commitment to disrupting organized crime and thanked the public for supporting their work. Keatings will also face further proceedings to recover the criminal proceeds under the Proceeds of Crime Act.