Man denies knowing the £26k caravan he towed to Northumberland lay-by was stolen
Matthew Barnes was caught with the vehicle, which didn't have any number plates, by police by the side of a road
by Sara Nichol · ChronicleLiveA man has denied knowing the £26,000 caravan he towed to a lay-by on a Northumberland road was stolen.
Matthew Barnes was caught with the vehicle, which had had it's number plates removed, by police but claims he was a legitimate delivery driver taking it to be picked up.
A court heard that the 29-year-old couldn't give any information as to who the owner was but that was "not out of the ordinary" in his line of business. Checks revealed that the caravan was stolen
Barnes, of Dumcombe Terrace, in Ferryhill, County Durham, was arrested and charged with one count of receiving stolen goods. He pleaded not guilty to the allegation when he appeared at Newcastle Magistrates' Court.
Stephen Davies, prosecuting, said Barnes was caught with the caravan on January 15 this year. Charlie Carr, defending, said Barnes accepted he'd been in possession of the vehicle but claimed not to have acted "dishonestly". He added: "He was acting as a bona fide delivery driver."
Listing the case for trial, District Judge Paul Currer said: "You have pleaded not guilty to this allegation so the matter will be resolved by a trial. That will take place on November 26 at 2pm at South East Northumberland Magistrates' Court.
"Should you fail to attend, you potentially commit an offence under the bail act, for which you could be prosecuted. Also. if you don't attend, the trial can go ahead in your absence."
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