Finance expert 'used friend like rubbish'

Edward Hickson, former director of Hazelwood Foods, alleged he was so worried when Barlow also refused to tell him of the name of his solicitors, that he told his friend he would call in his own lawyers.

The 72-year-old former businessman said in a telephone call to Barlow, read out in court: "Not everyone would lend you a quarter-of-a-million pounds without any security, without requesting any interest."

Mr Hickson said he made the phone call to Barlow after receiving no answer to an earlier request asking him to change a letter in which Mr Hickson alleged Barlow "distorted the truth."

Barlow, aged 57, of Tadcaster Road, Copmanthorpe, York, denies 11 charges of theft.

Three of them relate to money and other finances belonging to Mr Hickson, totalling about £400,000.

Mr Hickson alleged the letter made him concerned that something was not right.

He claimed he did not know or suspect at that time that Barlow had taken £300,000 from him or had used the money from a block of Mr Hickson's shares for Barlow's own use.

He made a phone call to Barlow in which Barlow agreed to rewrite the letter, but he never received the rewritten version.

He then made a second telephone call, the transcript of which was read out to the jury.

In it he told Barlow that Barlow was "treating him like rubbish", and wanted to know what progress had been made on legal work involving land.

When Barlow said he would write to Mr Hickson, the former businessman asked him who his solicitors were.

Barlow's reply was: "I am not having anyone else chasing my solicitors."

Mr Hickson repeatedly asked him for his solicitors' name and accused him of playing for time, an allegation that Barlow denied.

Towards the end of the conversation Mr Hickson said: "All right, you will hear from my solicitors."

The trial continues.

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