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Couple who defrauded subcontractors jailed

23rd May 1996, Page 14
23rd May 1996
Page 14
Page 14, 23rd May 1996 — Couple who defrauded subcontractors jailed
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by Grizelda Graham • A couple whose haulage companies were trading at a loss "blatantly defrauded" sub-contractors of at least £275,000, Norwich Crown Court has heard. Many of their victims were small hauliers.

Martin Matthews of Thorpe Marriott, Norwich was jailed for two years after admitting four charges of fraudulent trading. IIis wife Susan. who admitted two charges of fraudulent trading, was jailed for six months.

Both were banned from being company directors or managers; Martin Matthews for seven years and Ins wife for five..

Judge Simon Barham said Martin Matthews had been the instigator of the offences and effectively ran the four road haulage companies involved while his wife dealt with the book-keeping.

The first company they set up, Silver Tree Services, was initially run honestly and made more than £100,000 in 1990, its first year of operation. But three other companies, Silver Tree Freight Services, Dover Shipping and Heaton Wells, were "run fraudulently from the outset", said Barham.

Prosecutor John Dodds said the four linked companies operated by getting orders and subcontracting the work to hauliers. A "web of dishonesty" was involved and while creditors were waiting nearly £200,000 was withdrawn from two bank accounts, he said.

Martin Matthews claimed the cash was needed to cover the expenses of drivers travelling in Europe. Adrian Maxwell, for the couple, said the couple were full of remorse and had no assets whatsoever. "They didn't make anything out of this," he told the court; Susan Matthews had "found herself in a situation where she had no option but to support her husband who was running the show."


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