The CPS decides not to follow up Crossley case
Page 14
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
• No charges are to be brought against Charles Lee Crossley— the man at the centre of dozens of complaints from would-be hauliers—following a Crown Prosecution Service decision not to prosecute him for fraud.
The decision is hound to upset the 40 complainants who had helped with police inquiries into Crossley's activities at his Manchester-based business, Commercial Transport Services.
The CPS, which brings prosecutions on behalf of the police, believes that there is insufficient evidence to bring a criminal case against Crossley. But in a letter sent out to each complainant, Greater Manchester police say the CPS decision does not bar individuals from trying to win compensation from him through the civil courts.
The complaints were from individuals from England, Scotland and Wales who wanted to set up as hauliers between early 1993 and late 1994 and were each promised a vehicle and work after paying Crossley around £3,000.
A few of the 40 complainants allegedly received nothing for their money, with most others receiving at least some work or a vehicle, or both.
Crossley has repeatedly denied fraud, claiming that the problems arose when he ran into financial difficulties.
This is the second time he has escaped prosecution—last summer Trafford Magistrates discharged a case against him, also because of insufficient evidence. He was cleared of 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.