Shropshire businessmen to face trial for theft and fraud
Two Shropshire businessmen are to face trial for a series of alleged frauds and thefts involving investments of more than £13 million.
The case of 49-year-old David Murray Griffiths and 47-year-old Simon Drew will be heard next year.
Both men have pleaded not guilty to 16 charges of fraud by false representation and 18 allegations of theft involving the obtaining of cheques for sums between £25,000 and £600,000. The alleged offences cover a period of four years between January 2004 and November 2008, and are linked to Bewdley-based company Inspire GLG, which is now in administration.
Griffiths, of New Road, Oreton, near Cleobury Mortimer, and Drew, formerly of Larches Lane, Oreton, and now living in Rye, East Sussex, appeared at Birmingham Crown Court on Friday.
On that day the case was adjourned for a trial which is due to start on September 2 next year.
Both men were remanded on bail.
The 34 charges they face stem from a two-year West Mercia police investigation into £13.5 million worth of investment by about 200 people in companies concerned in the making of animated television programmes, including the Boblins, Amber Animals, Monster School and the Odd Jobbers.
One of the alleged victims is said to have made investments totalling more than £3 million.
The two defendants were also the directors of several other businesses which had addresses in Telford, Much Wenlock, Bewdley, Kingswinford, Birmingham and Worcester.
