8:42 am, July 14, 2014
A CAR DEALER in Dundee says he is out of pocket to the tune of £10,000 after a ‘heavy-handed’ police raid on his business.
Glencross Motors in Clepington Road was closed for two-and-a-half weeks as part of an investigation by Police Scotland and other agencies.
But the owner of the business, Charles Sandeman, says he doesn’t even know what led to the operation – and reckons he is due an apology because of the inconvenience he has been caused and the money he’s lost.
Glencross Motors was raided on June 4. The 106 cars on the site were inspected and six ‘minor defects’ – such as inadequate levels of tyre tread – were identified.
As well as the police, the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency, Trading Standards and Scottish Environment Agency were involved, reported the Evening Telegraph in Dundee.
But Mr Sandeman told the newspaper: ‘I think I deserve an apology.
‘When you think about the wages, advertising and trade lost during the time the garage was shut down, I’ve lost thousands of pounds – probably about £10,000.
‘I haven’t even spoken to a police officer yet to find out what this is all about.’
Mr Sandeman, who has owned the business since 2007, also had his home in Invergowrie raided. He has wondered whether someone with a grudge could have played a part in sparking the investigation but says he hasn’t fallen out with anyone.
And in actual fact, he says that if anything, the events of the past few weeks have demonstrated that the cars he sells are of high quality.
He told the Telegraph: ‘I take solace from the fact they didn’t find any major problems and I think my customers do too. A lot of people have taken confidence from the fact that they only found six minor defects.’
There has been no lowering in the level of footfall since the business re-opened, he said.
