Entrepreneur in court over alleged airline deal fraud

An Island businessman who wanted to buy an airline has appeared in court over allegations he lied about government support for the deal.

Jason Gerard Scales of Douglas Road in Ballasalla appeared before Deputy High Bailiff James Brooks at Douglas Courthouse.

The 28 year old faces one count of making a false representation and two of supplying articles for use in fraud.

It's alleged between April and June last year he falsely claimed the Manx government would underwrite a £13 million loan for his company Ettyl as it tried to buy Stobart Air and Carlisle Lake District Airport.

On May 7 last year, he's also said to have had a fake letter of support from Mark Lewin, chief executive of the Department for Enterprise as well as a fake document from chief secretary Will Greenhow.

Ettyl had offered to buy Stobart Air to operate its Isle of Man to Dublin route, but the deal fell through last June.

Mr Scales was bailed in the sum of £2,500 on condition he doesn't contact witnesses or leave the Isle of Man without permission and he also agreed to surrender his passport.

No pleas have yet been entered to any of the allegations and he's next due to appear in court on November 15.