Kitchen Ware,Microwave Set,Toilet Brush-Kitchen boss cleared of defrauding customers in Oldham

A senior council official has been suspended after a "flawed" case against the boss of a multimillion-pound Kitchen Ware kitchen firm was thrown out of court.

Oldham Council's Microwave Set trading standards department faces a £4m bill after a judge at Manchester Crown Toilet Brush Court dropped all charges against Vance Miller.

The Ramsbottom businessman was cleared of conspiracy to commit fraud and making false representation.

Judge Jonathan Foster said the case was "flawed from the start".

The inquiry, which the council has claimed to be the the biggest ever by a trading standards department, was "over-zealous, oppressive" and many materials used in his kitchens were not analysed properly, he told the court.