Scots gin makers left ‘looking like Al Capone’ after cops raided HQ over false illegal bootlegging claims
Andrew Crow and business partner Oliver Drake were arrested and hauled into court over allegations they were illegally flogging homemade booze
A GIN-maker claims he was left “looking like Al Capone” after cops raided his HQ over false bootlegging claims.
Andrew Crow and business partner Oliver Drake were arrested and hauled into court over allegations they were illegally flogging homemade booze.
The swoop was sparked by a tip off to police from a former associate they’d fallen out with.
But they were cleared at Jedburgh Sheriff Court when prosecutors finally dropped the case after 18 months.
Andrew, 63, who co-owns the Kelso Gin Company in Roxburghshire, said: “It made us look like Al Capone, as if we were master criminals.
“It’s been a nightmare. People were coming up to me on the street asking if we’d not been locked up yet.”
It’s thought former business associate Simon Rutherford, 51, had told cops that Andrew and Oliver, 63, were flogging their Crowman’s Gin illicitly.
Whisky, vodka and gin worth £500,000 nicked from haulage firm in Renfrewshire by crooks in Hi Vis
They had previously sold the spirit through Simon’s bar, meaning they were covered by his pub licence.
But they later called time on the partnership following a bitter falling-out.
most read in news
And they reckon Simon tipped off cops as payback after learning they’d accidentally sent super-strength gin to a bar in Glasgow.
Oliver said: “They got search warrants. We co-operated 100 per cent but were still charged and went to court.”
Simon, of Duns, Berwickshire, refused to comment.
We pay for your stories and videos! Do you have a story or video for The Scottish Sun? Email us at scoop@thesun.co.uk or call 0141 420 5200