COURT REJECTS COACHWORKS BID TO INVESTIGATE LOUISE KHAN

Senior Master Jeremy Cook refused North of England Coachworks’ request for an order to investigate money transferred to Louise Khan by her husband, Mohammed Asif Khan. The company sought the order while trying to recover money from a civil fraud settlement with him. Its barrister, Emma Read, told the court that a freezing order already covered £23,000 transferred into Louise Khan’s accounts. Louise Khan’s barrister, Gordon Menzies, said she was in “a state of acute financial difficulty” and was “having to rely on food banks”.

North of England Coachworks alleged that Mohammed Asif Khan took about £1.1 million while working for the business in a financial and managerial role until 2019. Its barrister, Sam Neaman, said an investigation found that Khan used company cheques and transfers for spending unrelated to the business. The company said about £160,000 went to escorts, including about £56,000 to Gemma Massey and her company. Khan agreed in 2024 to pay £500,000 to settle the civil claim, accepting that he owed the money in respect of the alleged frauds and breaches of trust.

Cook questioned why North of England Coachworks had not investigated Khan’s accounts further to establish whether he had transferred money to his wife. The company has recovered only about £550 of the agreed payment, according to the court account. Khan pawned a £20,000 Rolex watch to prevent his former employers from obtaining it. A judge sentenced him to six months in jail for contempt of court. North of England Coachworks continues to seek payment under the settlement.