THE former managing director of the Selborne Brick and Tile Company was cleared on Wednesday of charges of theft and defrauding creditors.

Col John de Benham-Crosswell (64), of The Grange, South Hay, Kingsley, was found not guilty of stealing 371,000 bricks and was also cleared of two charges of transferring a total of £77,000 to firms owned by his family with intent to defraud creditors.

A full version of this story will be found in the Bordon Herald of April 14, 2000.