Witness 'warned against testifying by security company boss'
A defendant made phone calls to a witness to persuade him to not testify against him, a court heard.
Matthew Davies, 42, of Woodyard Lane, Quatt, near Bridgnorth, denies supplying unlicensed security guards to businesses and events in Shropshire.
He also denies perverting the course of justice by contacting Thomas Ashton from Shropshire Housing Group.
Davies’ company, Showtime Security which is based in Craven Arms, hired out guards to work at Radbrook College campus in 2016 while Shropshire Housing Group was building on the site.
It is claimed that one of the guards did not hold an SIA licence which is required by law.
More from the trial:
In a statement to police, Mr Ashton said he saw the unlicensed guard regularly working on the site.
He told a jury at Shrewsbury Crown Court: “I was contacted in September 2017 by Matt Davies regarding an ongoing investigation.
"I think Matt had seen a copy of my witness statement and was not happy about the contents of it.
“He was saying that if I didn’t come to court, they couldn’t use my evidence in the proceedings.
"Off the back of that I was a little concerned because it appeared that he was trying to stop me coming to court.”
Mr Ashton then received a second telephone call from the defendant.
He added: “I think he said a number of other witnesses had all agreed not to attend court.
"He suggested that his solicitors would give me a hard time and I would be made to look like a fool.”
Mr Ashton also claims Davies encouraged him to say a police officer had told him what to say in his witness statement.
“I told him that was not true,” Mr Ashton added.
“I said the statement I provided was correct and that the officer had not put words in my mouth.”
The defence say Davies did not attempt to persuade Mr Ashton to not give evidence and that the guard in question was carrying out maintenance work, not security, and therefore did not require a licence.
Davies is also accused of providing unlicensed guards to Tuffins supermarket in Craven Arms.
The trial continues.
