Lower Darwen businessman ‘stole 16 caravans’

9:30am Thursday 24th July 2008

A BUSINESSMAN has been accused of stealing 16 caravans, two motor-homes and trailer worth a total of £190,000.

Iain Thane, 44, has been charged with 19 counts of theft in relation to caravans and motorhomes allegedly sold or stolen when he ran Ewood Caravans in Branch Road, Lower Darwen.

The firm ceased trading in October, police said. Officers said they received the first of several complaints soon after, from customers reporting that their caravans and motor-homes had been stolen after being left at the shop.

After the initial reports police put out an appeal for any other aggrieved parties to get in touch.

An investigation was launched and a number of other people came forward to complain that they had put their motorhome or caravan up for sale or in for repair with Ewood Caravans and never seen them again.

The complainants, who come from all over the North West including Ribchester and Chorley and as far away as Scotland, included an elderly customer and a single mum.

Officers took statements and carried out a series of search warrants at the premises, seizing computers from both the business premises and Thane’s home address in Settle, Yorkshire, as evidence.

Thane was arrested on November 2 and bailed until Friday when he was charged with 19 counts of theft of goods and money totalling just above £191,000.

Thane will appear at Blackburn Magistrates’ Court on August 4, when it is expected the case will be committed to crown court.

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