Bulmer's denies accusations of diluting cider

HP Bulmer has reacted angrily to claims that it had been diluting the alcohol level in its cider to reduce duty payments.

The claims were made in the mitigation offered by former Aston Manor Brewery manager director Michael Hancocks, who admitted trying to sabotage the production line at Bulmer's with a yeast-based contaminant.

A court heard that Hancocks hatched the plot after losing out on a lucrative Bookers contract.

A spokesman for Bulmer's dismissed Hancocks' duty claim as the "spurious allegations of a man who has admitted a contamination conspiracy against our company".

He added: "In fact, it was Bulmer's who led a campaign by the National Association of Cider Makers to get the practice officially banned by Customs and Excise some two years ago.

"Not only did Hancocks try to bribe one of our employees to contaminate product in the factory, he attempts to justify this criminal act by making totally unsubstantiated allegations under the protection of court proceedings."

The court heard that Bulmer's had spent £154,000 in extra security to protect its production line after being told of the plot.

The company spokesman said: "Throughout this long investigation we have been greatly impressed by the professionalism shown by the police.

"At all time, public safety was of paramount importance, and at no time was any Bulmer product contaminated.

We value very highly the support of the community and workforce ­ damaging and false allegations of this nature are particularly hurtful."

Hancocks is due to be sentenced later this month.