A BOSS at a specialised clothing firm which produces hand-made leather jackets for A-list celebrities has been accused of stealing almost £200,000 worth of garments from the business.

William Lauder, 48, is said to have stolen jeans, jackets, badges and other items while employed as mangling director of Aero Clothing Ltd. The theft totalling £194,825 is alleged to have taken ace at the firm’s premises in Galashiels and Hawick between March 2004 and March last year.

Lauder, of Buccleuch Street, Hawick, previously pleaded not guilty when he appeared on indictment at Selkirk Sheriff Court and a trial by jury had been set for January 26.

However, procurastor fiscal Graham Fraser said that due to the “complexity” of the case he could not see it taking place during that sitting.

It was decided to adjourn the trial until March 9 when there are no other juries trials scheduled for that week.

Aero Clothing is a high-profile designer making vintage leather jackets for movie stars such as Daniel Craig and Johnny Depp.