Woman fights to keep classic car after fraud bust
THE ex-partner of a man found guilty of a $1.6 million fraud is fighting to keep her vintage Ford Mustang after a court ordered it be handed over to the victims as compensation.
Anthony Francis McEwan, 52 was jailed for nine years in May for stealing the huge sum from Cairns produce business Simon George and Sons while working there over a 10 year period.
A Supreme Court justice ordered in August that McEwan pay the company almost $2.3 million, taking into account interest and costs and declared he currently owned four classic cars, including the 1966 model Mustang convertible.
McEwan's former partner Paulette Ryan has now lodged documents in the Supreme Court, claiming the car belongs to her and should not be seized.
She said she is the registered owner of the vehicle and took possession of it in 2010 after swapping it for her 1955 Chevrolet coupe with a woman whose husband owns a car importation business.
