A motorcycle dealership owner from Wakefield has received a suspended sentence after admitting to defrauding customers of £33,000.
Martin Bleasby, 43, operated East Yorkshire Motorcycle World in Hutton Cranswick with his wife until the company went into administration in 2018. During a recent hearing at Hull Crown Court, it was revealed that Bleasby sold used motorbikes on behalf of nine owners who never received their due profits.
Bleasby pleaded guilty to nine counts of fraud after Judge Tahir Khan indicated that he would suspend a custodial sentence if a trial could be avoided. Prosecutor Julia Smart KC explained that Bleasby collected motorcycles from customers’ homes, promising to take a 10% commission on sales. However, many owners went months without hearing from the dealership and had to visit the showroom to inquire about their payments.
The victims received various excuses from Bleasby and his wife regarding the missing funds. One owner found that after his debit card was credited with the sale amount, the money was subsequently withdrawn, leaving him unpaid. Another victim was misled into believing his motorcycle was still being serviced when it had already been sold. Two others were offered gift vouchers instead of cash, while one was told Bleasby couldn’t address his concerns due to health issues.
Defending Bleasby, Andrew Campbell KC argued that there was “no deliberate intent” to commit fraud, explaining that after Bleasby brought in administrators to liquidate the business, he lost control of the premises and couldn’t sell stock to settle debts. Campbell asserted that Bleasby did not lead an extravagant lifestyle or take funds from the business.
Bleasby, of Wilson Drive in Wakefield, has since been running other ventures and expressed his willingness to compensate the nine victims once an amount is determined. Judge Khan referred to Bleasby as a “reformed character” based on positive testimonials, choosing to overlook previous convictions for handling stolen goods when he imposed a 15-month prison sentence, suspended for two years. The court also issued a compensation order for the victims.