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18
Dec 2024
Liquidator appointed for Harrogate firm under investigation for fraud
A liquidator has been appointed for Steve Mann Caravans – the Harrogate company subject to a police investigation into alleged fraud and money laundering.
The liquidator, Richard Marchinton of Conselia Limited in Ilkley, was appointed in November, according to papers filed last week at the Business and Property Courts in Manchester.
Steve Mann Caravans was founded by Steve Mann and his wife Alison in 1991 as a mobile caravan service and repair business. It operated initially from a workshop in Ilkley, but moved to larger premises on Claro Road in Harrogate in 2017 and branched out into second-hand sales.
The company traded successfully until early 2023, when its reviews on online portals such as Trustpilot and Google started to turn negative.
It appeared to cease trading in April, when North Yorkshire Police arrested three people as part of a major investigation into fraud and money-laundering – a 38-year-old man, a 62-year-old woman and a 65-year-old man.
Police said they were investigating fraud offences involving around 50 victims.
James Mann was declared bankrupt on June 10, and 10 days later Steve Mann terminated his directorship of the company, leaving James as its only director.
The company was subject to a winding-up petition that same month.
The Stray Ferret contacted North Yorkshire Police for an update on the investigation.
A police spokesperson said:
The investigation is ongoing. The three people arrested remain released under investigation while enquiries continue.
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