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Ballasalla man accused of fraud in attempted airline purchase

Company director allegedly claimed government would underwrite £13m loan

A Ballasalla man has appeared in court accused of falsely claiming the Isle of Man Government would underwrite a £13m loan to enable him to buy an airline.

Twenty-eight-year-old Jason Gerard Scales is charged with making false representation as part of Ettyl Ltd's attempt to purchase Stobart Air.

It's alleged that he supplied two fraudulent letters claiming to be signed by senior government officials in May last year.

One purported to be a letter of support from the Chief Executive of the Department for Enterprise Mark Lewin, while the other was a Guarantee and Indemnity document from the then-Chief Secretary Will Greenhow.

Mr Scales faces two fraud charges in relation to the documents, in addition to a charge of making false representation, contrary to the Fraud Act.

Deputy High Bailiff James Brooks granted bail in the sum of £2,500, with the conditions including that he resides at his home address on Douglas Road in Ballasalla and surrenders his passport.

He'll appear in court again on 15 November.

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