Horsebox distributor admits defrauding victims out of hundreds of thousands of pounds

A man who worked as a horsebox distributor has admitted stealing and defrauding victims out of hundreds of thousands of pounds.

Benjamin Ambrose, 44, of Malory Close, Tadpole Garden Village, Swindon, appeared at Swindon Crown Court on April 2^nd where he pleaded guilty to three counts of theft and five counts of fraud.

He was bailed ahead of sentencing on September 15^th.

Benjamin Ambrose previously traded as Wiltshire Horsebox Hire and was a recognised distributor for the Southwest for Bloomfields Horseboxes, based in Worksop Nottinghamshire.

In 2018, Ambrose incorporated a company called ‘Bloomfields Horseboxes (South) Ltd’, a completely separate limited company located in Wiltshire, where he continued trading.

In September 2024, Ambrose put the company into voluntary liquidation. Shortly after, Wiltshire Police started to receive complaints of fraud and theft related to Ambrose.

An investigation by our Fraud team found that Ambrose had committed numerous offences, amounting to losses of hundreds of thousands of pounds for his victims.

These included repeatedly failing to provide bespoke horseboxes for victims following purchase, and taking multiple payments of tens of thousands of pounds from victims while lying about delays, while knowing that the build for the victim’s purchased horsebox was not progressing.

He also – after entering into agreements with the victim to sell their horseboxes or chassis – failed to provide the outstanding money post sale.

On another occasion, the victim - after purchasing a horsebox from Ambrose for tens of thousands of pounds – was subsequently informed that the horsebox was subject to an outstanding finance agreement.

On December 15 last year, Ambrose was charged with multiple offences, to which he has now pleaded guilty.

Investigating officer DC Melissa Pope from our Fraud team said: “Ambrose was a prolific liar which has left his victims tens of thousands of pounds out of pocket.

“He knew exactly what he was doing, often creating friendships with the victims and manipulating them to spend their money, before failing to deliver what was ordered.

“His deceit has had huge, long-term impacts on the victims. While there is the considerable financial impact of his crimes, the emotional toll can’t be understated.

“Fraud and deception like this often lead to victims feeling vulnerable to scams and constantly replaying what else they could have done, when in fact it is solely down to the offender’s lies and deceit.

“I’m pleased Ambrose has pleaded guilty to the charges and the case will now progress to his sentencing in September.”