Wife of finance boss who spent company funds on escorts now relies on food banks

A finance boss accused of stealing approximately £1.1 million from his employer and spending a significant portion on escorts has resulted in his wife being left in severe financial hardship, a judge was informed. Mohammed Asif Khan, 48, formerly of North of England Coachworks, the region's largest vehicle bodyshop, had been accused of misappropriating company funds.

Investigations revealed Khan had allegedly used company checks and transfers for personal expenses, with an estimated £160,000 of the missing funds directed towards escorts. Among those named was Gemma Massey, who reportedly received £56,000. Massey has been described as a high-class escort and a former dental nurse who styled herself as 'Britain's best-paid porn star.'

In 2024, Khan agreed to a civil settlement with the company, agreeing to pay £500,000. He accepted that he owed this amount in relation to the alleged frauds. However, the company has continued legal efforts to recover the full amount, with allegations that Khan may have transferred funds into businesses owned by his wife, Louise Khan, 47.

This week, Mrs. Khan's financial situation became a focal point as her lawyers informed the court of the devastating impact the prolonged legal proceedings have had on her. Her barrister stated that Mrs. Khan, who is unemployed and in 'acute financial difficulty,' has been left 'having to rely on food banks.'

During the initial civil fraud trial in 2024, the court heard that Khan worked in a financial and managerial capacity for North of England Coachworks until 2019. Irregularities in cheque payments and money transfers led to an investigation and his subsequent resignation. The company's barrister stated that the net loss was approximately £1.1 million.

Khan had admitted to using company money to pay for escorts, describing it as his 'shame,' but maintained that his employers had implicitly approved of his actions. He was later jailed for six months for contempt of court after pawning a £20,000 Rolex, despite a freezing injunction, with the proceeds allegedly placed into his wife's business.

The company's lawyers recently applied for an order against Mrs. Khan to investigate potential funds her husband may have transferred to her accounts. They sought information on any assets she holds that are subject to the existing freezing order, noting that £23,000 had already been transferred into her accounts. However, Senior Master Jeremy Cook refused the application, questioning why the company had not first investigated Mr. Khan's accounts to establish a clear link and diversion of funds.

Master Cook stated that the company needed to demonstrate an arguable case that Mrs. Khan held more assets subject to the injunction before he would consider an order against her. He concluded that the company lacked the jurisdiction to make such an order against Mrs. Khan directly at this stage and that Mr. Khan's accounts should be investigated first.

Following the ruling, Mrs. Khan's barrister requested that the company cover her legal costs for the hearing, citing her unemployment and reliance on food banks. Master Cook ordered North of England Coachworks to pay Mrs. Khan's legal fees for the appearance.