By JON AUSTIN From Daily Express UK

The boss of the celebrity-backed multi-million pound Caribbean investment business Harlequin Property will not face trial until 2018.

David Ames, boss of Harlequin Property, faces up to 14 weeks in court.

Southwark Crown Court heard that the trial of David Ames, 65, from Wickford, Essex, is likely to last between 12 and 14 weeks from September next year.

Ames, a former double glazing salesman, is charged with three counts of fraud by abuse of position concerning a total of £390 million allegedly lost by investors in a series of planned luxury Caribbean holiday resorts.

The first charge involves alleged dishonesty from 2010 onwards, and concerns an alleged loss to investors of around £225m.

The second charge concerns alleged dishonesty from 2011 onwards, involving an alleged loss of around £130m.

Both these charges concern UK-registered company Harlequin Management Services (South East) Ltd, based at Honywood Road, Basildon, which is being liquidated.

The third charge relates to a successor offshore company, Harlequin Hotels and Resorts (Cayman) Ltd, and alleges dishonesty from mid 2012 onwards, concerning an alleged loss to investors of around £35m.

The prosecution was brought after an investigation by the Serious Fraud Office (SFO), together with Essex Police, which began in March 2013.

The Harlequin Property group was endorsed by celebrities including former Wimbledon winner Pat Cash, golf legend Gary Player, TV property guru Phil Spencer, and TV football pundit Andy Townsend.

I maintain that I am innocent of any wrongdoing and am confident in the knowledge that I have always sought and taken the advice of top accountants and solicitors for all areas of the business.
David Ames

It was also backed by Liverpool Football Club.

However, there is no suggestion that any of the stars who endorsed or promoted the business have been involved in any alleged wrongdoing.

Ames denies any wrongdoing, and at the next hearing this September an application by the defence to dismiss the case will be heard.

After he was charged by the SFO in February, Ames sent a statement to investors saying: “I maintain that I am innocent of any wrongdoing and am confident in the knowledge that I have always sought and taken the advice of top accountants and solicitors for all areas of the business.”

At least 6,000 people are believed to have invested in the off-plan properties, at planned resorts in Barbados, St Lucia, St Vincent, and even Mexico, many using self invested SIPP pension schemes.

Only around 100 plus properties were built at the flagship Buccament Bay resort in St Vincent.

IMAGES:
Andy-Townsend HARLEQUINPROPERTY Football pundit Andy Townsend was the face of Harlequin Property on its website.
Harlequin-Property HARLEQUIN PROPERTY*GETTY

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