THE FOUNDER OF online electronics retailer Dabs.com was arrested last week on charges of attempted rape, threats to kill, false imprisonment and possession of a Class A drug.

According to the Manchester Evening News, the millionaire businessman Anthony David Atherton, 50, went before the court last week, however no pleas were entered and he was remanded into custody.

The Bolton resident is due to face the music again on 31 October at the Bolton Crown Court.

Atherton, a former supermarket shelf-stacker and tax inspector started Dabs as a mail order company in 1990. The name comes from Atherton's initials along with those of former founder Bruce Smith. Online, it became one of the most popular retail sites for computers, components and other electronics, before being sold to BT for £30milion in 2006.

A spokeswoman from Dabs would only confirm that Atherton "severed all links with the business when the company became a wholly owned subsidary of BT." However, we're pretty sure it doesn't look kindly on the former owner's alleged actions and the potential tarnishing that any lingering association may cause to the brand. µ