A SOUTH Craven businessman has hit out after a youth walked free from court when charges of criminal damage were dropped.

The defendant, who is too young to be named for legal reasons, was alleged to have had a hand in causing damage estimated at £20,000 at Craven Textile Engineers at Cross Hills.

Back in May 1998, a gang of youths entered the premises and ransacked the building.

It is alleged that they smashed up expensive textile machinery and rode around on a forklift truck before damaging that as they left.

All but one of the youths were given a police caution, but the oldest suspect was summoned to appear before the courts.

But last month, the Crown Prosecution Service decided to drop the case, leaving the firm's director, Trevor Hobson, thousands of pounds out of pocket.

"As a member of the public and as a businessman I'm getting no help from the courts," said Mr Hobson.

"It's time that the courts started looking after small businesses, but instead we're just getting a raw deal. This is sending out signals to these young thugs that they can commit thousands of pounds worth of damage and then simply walk away."

Mr Hobson was prompted to contact the Herald after reading about the case of a Settle shopkeeper, plagued by shoplifters, who was angry at the way they had been dealt with by the justice system.

Following the incident at his premises, Mr Hobson's insurance company paid out only £7,000.

This left him with a bill for £14,000 with no compensation for the outstanding damage or the hours he and his wife had put in to repair it.

Mr Hobson said he had written numerous letters to the courts and the Crown Prosecution Service following numerous delays over the case and challenged a member of the CPS in court before he was told the case had been discontinued.

"I'm absolutely livid and the justice system shouldn't allow this to happen," he said.

Mr Hobson added that he had visited Skipton MP David Curry who had agreed to take up the matter with the Lord Chancellor.

A spokesman for the Crown Prosecution Service said: "We have received a complaint regarding this case and are investigating the matter."

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