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Tree Freight compares subbie to the Nazis
Page 7
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NOTORIOUS FREIGHT forwarder Tree Freight has added to its growing list of disgruntled clients, after the owner compared a German subcontractor to World War Ii Nazis when it complained about an unpaid £3,000 bill.
Tree Freight boss Jeff Lewis has now applied to have a court judgement against his business for the unpaid invoice 'set aside', because he "was not given the opportunity to know the grounds on which the judge struck out my defence".
Harald Guthert,olG&D Transport Logistics near Stuttgart, had taken Lewis to court over an unpaid bill for a load he claims he delivered on behalf ofTree Freight more than 12 months ago.
Lewis still hasn't paid and argues that he wasn't aware of the judge's decision to reject his defence until he received court papers in March.
Guthert says he is "surprised" and finds Lewis's behaviour "not in the least businesslike" after Lewis wrote to him saving he grew up knowing"the Germans,led by a group of homicidal maniacs — Hitler, I less, (moering, Himmler — were actively engaged in murdering millions of my co-religionists... you seem to be displaying some of the worst traits of German behaviour."
In another letter to Guthert. Lewis compared him to Irish and Islamic terrorists,saying:"Do what you want. I've seen it all. heard it all and dealt with much nastier people than you."
Lewis confirms that G&DTransport has taken legal action against him. He adds:"I objected to paying the full price because they telephoned my customers direct to try and obtain the business.
"I said I would pay less for the problems they caused with my customers and they offered me a lesser sum. which I refused."
• Peter Cooper, trading as Eurochill and PLC International Transport Company, who also claims he is owed thousands of pounds by Lewis (CM 30 March), has been declared bankrupt.
christopher.tindall@rbi.co.uk