Sir David Jones, who saved Enderby fashion chain Next from collapse, charged with forgery

The businessman who saved fashion chain Next from collapse has been charged with forgery.

Sir David Jones was chief executive and then chairman of the Enderby-based group for 18 years until 2006.

The 70-year-old retail veteran appeared before Leeds Magistrates' Court on Friday after being charged with two offences of allegedly making a misleading statement under the Financial Services and Markets Act, as well as one offence of using a false instrument under the Forgery and Counterfeiting Act.

The charges relate to Sir David’s time as executive chairman of sportswear chain JJB Sports.

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Sir David held the role at JJB for a year from January 2009.

His son Stuart, 38, who was employed as head of marketing at JJB Sports in 2009, has been charged with allegedly aiding and abetting Sir David in using a false instrument.

Sir David and his son were released on unconditional bail.

Sir David is credited with saving Next from bankruptcy after he took over the reins from founder George Davies in 1988.

The company was on the brink of collapse after over-expanding and being hit hard by the recession of the early 1990s.

Sir David was previously the majority shareholder of sportscar manufacturer Noble Automotive when it was based in Barwell. The firm is now owned by American businessman Peter Dyson and run from Braunstone.