Tuesday 24 May 2011

Brodex Window Cleaning Robbed


Freshfield businessman Paul Wilding alleged to have stolen £25,000 from small business: A Freshfield businessman is to appear in court suspected of stealing £43,000 from two Southport organisations. Paul Wilding, of Wrigleys Lane, was arrested on suspicion of defrauding Southport Conservative Club of £18,000 while acting as deputy treasurer.

While on police bail, the 51-year-old is then alleged to have stolen £25,000 from water treatment firm Brodex, where he was employed as an accountant. Wilding, described as a “well-to-do, well presented” man, will be charged with four counts of fraud and two of theft at North Sefton magistrates’ court next Friday, June 3. Executive members at Southport Conservative Club raised the alarm in August 2009 after spotting anomalies with the private club’s accounts over the course of a year.

Adam Urbanowski, chairman of Southport Conservative Club, said the losses were such that the viability of the club had been placed in immediate danger. He said: “If it wasn’t for a wealthy benefactor who stepped in to help, the club would probably have folded. “When the money went, our cash flow went and we couldn’t pay the bills. “This chap stepped in and basically saved the club. We really are indebted to him.”

Mr Wilding, a former jewellery shop owner, worked for Brodex from January to July 2010, while on police bail. He was re-arrested by police after managing director Sean Burke reported accounts discrepancies of £25,000. Describing Wilding, Mr Burke said: “He is your typical middle-aged married man. A well-to-do, well presented, ex-corporate kind of bloke. “He was calmly spoken and well spoken, very articulate. “He passed his interview with flying colours and quickly got his feet behind the table, he was very keen to take control.”

Mr Burke, whose firm manufactures window cleaning machines and telescopic poles, and said the disappearance of the cash threatened the livelihood of the business. He said: “We are still feeling the repercussions of losing that money now. “It caused the company accounts to drop into a loss which harmed our credit rating.”

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