New investigation into haulage start-up offer
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IN Greater Manchester police is conducting a fresh investigation into a Stockport man who persuaded more than 20 aspiring hauliers to pay him thousands of pounds for lorries and work which allegedly failed to materialise.
Papers from a Cheshire police investigation into five allegations against Charles Lee Crossley have been passed on to Greater Manchester police, who say they have received an additional 28 complaints.
Although at least four individuals have since received their vehicles, but no work, Greater Manchester is to continue its investigation because of the number of complainants.
During police interviews Crossley has repeatedly insisted that he had no intention to defraud and that problems arose when he ran into financial difficulties.
The would-be hauliers, who are based throughout England, Scotland and Wales, claim that Crossley advertised his services and then asked them each for around £3,000, promising to find them work, a qualified transport manager and a truck.
This summer, Trafford magistrates discharged a case against Crossley because of insufficient evidence. He had been charged by Greater Manchester police for obtaining £3,000 by "falsely representing" to a person wishing to set up in the haulage industry that the payment would secure a goods vehicle and work.