Aled Wyn Davies and Michael Munson released after prosecutor states there is no evidence to offer against them
Two former Express Motors bus drivers have been cleared of conspiracy to commit fraud, the Daily Post reported.
Aled Wyn Davies of Rhosgadfan and Michael Munson from Llanllechid were due to stand trial later this year. Both had denied a charge of conspiracy. There are a further five defendants in the fraud case who have not been cleared.
Both were employed as drivers at Penygroes-based Express Motors, which operated services across Gwynedd, Anglesey and Conwy until the end of 2017 when the firm’s licence was revoked.
During a seven minute hearing at Caernarfon Crown Court, prosecutor Matthew Dunford said the Crown Prosecution Service had kept the case under constant review and had concluded no evidence would be offered against the two men.
He invited Judge Timothy Petts to record not guilty verdicts against both men, and said restraint proceedings, imposed on their financial affairs, should be lifted.
The judge said: “The Crown Prosecution Service have very properly kept the matter under review and I enter not guilty verdicts against you and you are discharged. That is the end of proceedings against you and you are free to go.”
Contributions made by Mr Munson towards his legal representation will be refunded and Mr Davies’ expenses to attend a meeting with lawyers in Chester will also be paid.
The court heard the trial against the five other defendants is due to start in early September. These include Eric Wyn Jones, 77, and his three sons Ian, 52, Keith, 51, and Kevin, 54, all of whom deny conspiring to commit fraud by false representation.
Another driver employed by the company, Rheinallt Williams, 44, also denies a charge of conspiracy.
Eric Jones and his sons also deny that between June 13, 2012, and September 11 2014, they conspired to conceal money by failing to account for all cash takings as business income, failing to pay any taxes due on the cash takings, and paying the takings into personal bank accounts without declaring this as income.
