THE director and salesman of a Cheshire company which sold lorry mounted horseboxes have admitted defrauding two victims out of tens of thousands of pounds.

Daniel Trevelyan, 36, and Sarah Trevelyan, 41, of Moat Lane, Audley, both pleaded guilty at Liverpool Crown Court to offences of fraud by false representation with Daniel Trevelyan additionally pleading guilty to being concerned with the formation, management and running of a company as an undischarged bankrupt.

On paper, the director of Newmarket Elite Horseboxes Ltd was Sarah Trevelyan, but in reality the court heard how the company was used as a front to allow Sarah’s husband, Daniel to continue trading despite being bankrupt.

Daniel Trevelyan had previously been made bankrupt trading as HSD Sporthorses a company he had established to build lorry mounted horseboxes.

The pair sold horseboxes through their new company, Newmarket Elite Horseboxes Ltd which Sarah Trevelyan was the sole director of and was based on Newcastle Road, Hough, near Crewe.

They claimed the bespoke lorry mounted horseboxes had a specific weight capacity but in reality the actual weight the horseboxes could carry was well below what was advertised.

Both victims contacted the defendant after replying to adverts placed in publications about horses. They both dealt with Daniel Trevelyan who was described as the “manager” of the company.

Both victims ordered horse boxes from the company. The first victim spent £28,950 and was told they would be receiving a converted Renault Master specifically modified to carry three ponies.

The first victim was told that the vehicle would carry 1200kg when in reality it was only 650kg and was only supplied as two stalls not the three stalls as specified.

The second victim spent £39,600 on a Renault Master lorry, and was told they would receive a brand new vehicle with a load capacity of 1,180kg but they actually received a second-hand vehicle with a load capacity of 490kg.

In addition both victims were told that the vehicles had been inspected and approved for use by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, which was a lie.

During the sentencing hearing victim impact statements were read out. The court heard how the frauds had left the victims “feeling a cocktail of emotions and anxiety, periods of sleeplessness and loss of appetite” One of the victims described “turning to drink to combat the stress that had taken over my life” and how the stress had forced the victim to give up work.

Sentencing Daniel Trevelyan His Honour Judge Clement Goldstone QC, the Recorder of Liverpool, said: “You are, or were and time remains to be told whether you continue to be, what might be termed in old fashion parlance, a crook.

"Your early refusal to cooperate in bankruptcy proceedings, your inability to accept what you did was wrong or criminal until you pleaded guilty and even then you have little remorse, indicates you are a man without moral fibre and you have no place in the running of a business.

"You didn’t think twice about flouting your statutory obligation or putting your wife up as a front for running the business. You didn’t think anything of the stress caused by your behaviour and your bullying tactics, but I shouldn’t be surprised because you have a record as a fraudster.”

Sentencing Sarah Trevelyan, HHJ Goldstone said: “You are in denial…. You seek to blame everybody but yourself for being in the position you are. I have two words to say to you 'get real'."

Daniel Trevelyan received a 16 month jail term which was suspended for two years and also given 300 hours of community service. Sarah Trevelyan was handed 300 hours of community service.