The case against a Darlington scrap metal company which was facing action following an investigation by a fraud unit has been dropped.  

Ward Bros (Steel) Ltd had been accused of failing to give security for payments of more than £500,000, as required by Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

Billy Ward, 43, of Merryfield Hall, Low Coniscliffe, and Nathan Ward, 39, of Merrybent, were also charged with the same offences of failing to comply with pay as you earn (PAYE) regulations.

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However, the case against them was dismissed during a hearing at Peterlee Magistrates’ Court.

A trial had been due to start on Monday, July 18. 

A spokesperson for Ward Bros, which is based in Cleveland Street, Darlington, said the company was pleased the case had been resolved.

They added: “It worried a lot of our customers and we did lost business because of it.

“It’s all done now and we can move on.”

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They had all pleaded not guilty to failing to two charges comply with PAYE regulations to giving security for payments at a hearing in March.

During a hearing on July 18 all three cases were dismissed.

The case had followed an investigation by Mersey Cheshire Fraud Unit.

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