Judge: man 'probably' forged documents

LEGAL CASE AFTER FIRM'S TAKEOVER TURNED SOUR

- By WILLIAM TELFORD

A PLYMOUTH businessman probably forged his mother's signature in a bid to regain control of a parcel delivery firm, a High Court judge has found.

Jacob Corlett started the "Uber for removals" business Shift in the Royal William Yard when he was just 23 years old, and later became a co-owner of the yard's Steel Brew microbrewery.

The entrepreneur, now aged 31, last year launched a takeover of the delivery company Yodel and planned to merge it with Shift. But just months later Yodel was unable to pay debts and Mr Corlett sold it for £1.

Yodel is now suing Mr Corlett, alleging he breached his duty as a director and misappropriated funds.

Mr Corlett's firms Shift and Corja counterclaimed arguing they should be given 1.8 billion shares in Yodel.

But, after a 10-day hearing in the High Court, the counterclaim was thrown out by a judge last week.