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04
Nov 2024
Knaresborough car dealer accused of £1m fraud faces lengthy wait for trial
A man accused of a string of fraud and theft offences will have to wait nearly another year to face trial.
Andrew Mearns, 56, last year denied 13 counts of fraud and three theft allegations, which allegedly took place at his luxury car dealership in Knaresborough.
Mr Mearns, who owned Gmund Cars, appeared at Harrogate Magistrates Court in May 2023, before pleading not guilty to the charges at York Crown Court a month later.
His trial was scheduled to begin today (November 4) at Bradford Crown Court, but a court spokesperson told the Stray Ferret the case had been transferred to Sheffield Crown Court.
When we spoke to Sheffield Crown Court today, a spokesperson said the trial was now scheduled for next September.
All the allegations against Mr Mearns relate to his car dealership at Nidd Valley Trading Estate and involve 16 alleged victims.
It is claimed the offences happened between September 2015 and December 2020 in a scam worth more than £1 million.
Mr Mearns, now of Conwy Place in Llandudno, is alleged to have stolen a £130,000 Porsche from a man in January 2019.
Another allegation is that Mr Mearns stole a £60,000 Porsche Turbo from a different man in October 2018, and a £65,000 Porsche 911 Carrera in November of the same year.
The trial, which will start on September 15, is expected to last three weeks.
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