Proceedings against all five defendants stayed after a three-month trial at Derby Crown Court, following serious failures in the handling and disclosure of evidence.

DERBY — Jonathan Rose of 33 Bedford Row Chambers, leading Mohammed Saqib, appeared for the defence in a significant multi-handed fraud prosecution brought by Trading Standards at Derby Crown Court.

Following a three-month trial, proceedings against all five defendants have been stayed after serious failures in the handling and disclosure of evidence. The jury was directed to return verdicts of not guilty.

The case concerned allegations of fraudulent trading and fraud by false representation relating to a used-car business. The defence applied to stay the indictment on the grounds that missing business records had compromised the defendants’ ability to receive a fair trial.