Jury told of unlicensed deals

A Shropshire businessman made more than £1 million selling motor homes on credit without a licence, a court heard. Lester John Stacey ran a sales company called Lazy Days.

The firm, based just off the A41 at Hinstock, near Market Drayton, offered customers credit to buy mobile homes.

A jury at Shrewsbury Crown Court yesterday heard how the company continued to offer credit even after its Consumer Credit licence had expired.

Richard Shaw, prosecuting, said: "Lazy Days brokered 43 arrangements in the sixth-month period. . . This provided well in excess of £1 million for Mr Stacey."

Stacey, 43, of Eccleshall, is charged with conspiracy and engaging in credit brokerage without a licence.

Employee Tracey Henney, 37, of Tillington in Staffordshire, is also charged with conspiracy, engaging in brokerage without a licence and giving false information to the Office of Fair Trading.

The pair appeared at court yesterday for the start of a seven-day trial. They both deny the charges.

The court heard that in December 2003 Stacey had received a three-year prison sentence for false imprisonment and assault.

Mr Shaw said that while Stacey was in jail, the licence expired. He said an application to renew the licence was made by employee Neil Taylor, but as it had already expired, the Office of Fair Trading said a fresh application had to be made.

The prosecution alleges that during the time new applications were being processed, the company continued to offer credit.

The trial continues.