And there's more on him

Man keeps getting letters meant for previous owner

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Published on Tue Sep 08 12:42:51 BST 2009

A frustrated homeowner from Lancashire has told how he is still being bombarded with letters addressed to its former owner – almost two years after he moved out.

Terry Smithies, 52, has been sent hundreds of letters – including invoices and phone bills – addressed to a firm run by businessman David Ridyard who sold him the house in November 2007.

Mr Ridyard's company Netwise Computing and Stridergold – which sold games consoles over the internet – was wound up in the UK by the Insolvency Service.

But Mr Ridyard's Spanish arm of Netwise is still operating – and is registered to the property in The Oaks in Walton Park, near Preston.

Mr Smithies – who has even had visits from bailiffs – says that despite the company being wound up, the Insolvency Service has told him it could not guarantee taking out a prosecution against Netwise's directors, David and Margaret Ridyard.

Mr Smithies said: "The police told me that they could do more to him if he pinched a pint of milk than they can for this.

"We had a visit from fraud officers from Lancashire Police last year but they came to a complete full stop and that is why the Insolvency Service got involved.

"I still get Mr Ridyard's invoices for car hire at Manchester Airport, so he obviously still comes back to this country but they cannot do anything more than they have done, it is just crazy."

He said the stream of letters had "slowed a little" from the 20-a-week he was receiving within months of buying the home in November 2007.

A spokesman for the Insolvency Service confirmed an investigation into Netwise had shown the company had no stock leading to complaints from customers that they had not received goods.

But she could not confirm that any further action was being taken to ensure a prosecution against the firm.

She said: "It is the case that further action can be taken including a criminal prosecution, possibly involving Trading Standards.

"However, we are unable to comment on the situation with regards this particular case."

The Lancashire Evening Post was unable to contact Mr Ridyard.