BUSINESSMAN Nigel Marsh, whose bids to run a pub in Chatteris and another in March in the space of a year failed has been charged with assaulting a police officer.

He is also facing a challenge to his plan add certified bailiff to his business interests after questions were raised about a failed debt collecting business.

Mr Marsh was involved with The Dog in Chatteris – where the brewery ousted him after claiming he had not been assigned the lease correctly- and The George in March which ended in an acrimonious split with former associates. The assault charge arose after he tried to re enter the George and police stopped him.

Mr Marsh ran Armitage Credit Control Ltd from 24 Pound Lane, Chatteris, but this has gone into administration owing thousands of pounds.

Its trading subsidiary, UK Debt Collection, was used by DJ Mick Brown to chase cash owed to him when a Southampton local radio station ceased trading.

Mr Marsh got the money- but then kept double the commission Mr Brown claims was agreed plus he retained a further �900 in “miscellaneous costs”.

Mr Brown turned the tables and took Mr Marsh to court but despite being ordered to repay �2,100 it was a hollow victory: Mr Marsh dissolved the company.

The case has been taken up by the Daily Mirror’s investigation team head by Andrew Penman and Nick Summerland. They found other unpaid judgements against Armitage totalling �20,000.

The pair wrote: “When we called Marsh’s office he’s still trading as UK Debt Collection using the website www.uk-debtcollection.com and a new company name - UK Debt Collect Ltd.”

Mr Marsh has now applied to Cambridge County Court for a bailiff certificate. The court asks any person who knows any reason why he is not a fit and proper person to be granted a certificate to contact the court manager by August 14.