It was 3.30am on a warm summer's evening in Bergamo when Manchester United made the decisive breakthrough in their attempts to sign Rasmus Hojlund.
06.10.2023 - 05:49 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk
A man accused of being part of a drugs and firearms gang has denied owning an Encrochat phone.
Andrew Cooney, 39, told jurors of his many business dealings including the buying of a tanning salon, a failed barber shop and a house in Italy. He also told Minshull Street Crown Court that he owned three high-value cars by ‘mistake’.
Mr Cooney, of Alderley Edge, is one of five men on trial for conspiracy to supply drugs and firearm offences. He previously pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply cocaine.
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Giving evidence about his work record, Mr Cooney told the court that he worked on a market stall when he was still at school, then later worked as a cleaner and a youth worker before getting into auctions. He said the parents of one of his friends would go regularly, and he became interested. He described the auctions as ‘liquidation’ sales, and told jurors of a ‘lucrative one’ with Mamas and Papas.
“It was buggies etc, worth about £80,000, I paid around £11,000 for it. I was grateful for that one,” Mr Cooney said.
He said he went on to buy two properties on Broadstone Road, in Reddish, Stockport, one of which was a tanning salon.
“I was 24/25 when I bought that. I agreed a price of £20,000, and put £10,000 down as deposit upfront - I had that in savings,” he said. “I had it for four and a half years, then sold it to a woman for £24,000.” He told the court he had no accountant for tax assistance.
Of the building next door to the tanning salon, he said he had initially set up a barber’s, which didn’t generate enough money, before trying other
It was 3.30am on a warm summer's evening in Bergamo when Manchester United made the decisive breakthrough in their attempts to sign Rasmus Hojlund.
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