Overview
- Candy Ventures Sarl is seeking rescission or £5.7 million in damages over its 2021 Aaqua investment, which included transferring 1.5 million Audioboom shares and agreeing to buy 15,000 Aaqua shares.
- CVS’s barrister alleges Bonnier repeatedly claimed Apple and LVMH were poised to invest about $1 billion in Aaqua, including describing Apple’s backing as a “foregone conclusion,” but the start-up is now insolvent.
- Testifying on Tuesday, Nick Candy said he felt duped by “blatant lies” and that supposed blue‑chip involvement was fundamental to CVS’s decision, while Bonnier cannot cross‑examine witnesses under the court’s restrictions.
- Bonnier disputes fraud, saying he enthusiastically sold an aspirational vision, personally invested more than €20 million, and blames Aaqua’s collapse on freezing orders; his counterclaim has been stayed pending disclosure and costs.
- On Wednesday, CVS’s KC said any civil finding of fraud should be referred to criminal authorities, and the judge noted civil findings do not establish criminal liability; the trial is scheduled to conclude this week after Bonnier filed a 30‑page document.