A Suffolk man accused of being involved in international escort agency and debt elimination frauds which allegedly swindled victims out of more than £5million has chosen not to give evidence at his trial.

Colin Samuels, 61, of The Street, Redgrave, near Diss, has denied two offences of conspiracy to defraud and a money laundering charge involving £302,375.

Samuels had the opportunity to give evidence at his trial at Ipswich Crown Court this week but chose not to do so.

Also before the court is Mark Bell, 41, of Westerfield Road, Ipswich, who has denied a money laundering charge involving £1.9m and two charges of conspiracy to defraud.

Also before the court are Geraldine French, 60, of Lowestoft; Christopher Taylor, 57, of Oxford Road, Wakefield; and Bradley Rogers, 29, of Malaga. They have all denied conspiracy to defraud and money laundering charges.

It has been alleged that victims in the UK were fleeced by call centres based in Spain and Turkey, although they believed they were dealing with businesses in Britain.

Prosecutor Nic Lobbenberg told the court the frauds were organised by a man called Tony Muldoon, who lives in Spain, who has pleaded guilty to two offences of conspiracy to defraud.

The trial continues.