Suffolk man appears in court accused of fraud charges totalling nearly £700,000

A 56-year-old Suffolk man has today been charged with more than 40 fraud offences totalling nearly £700,000.

Alan Smith, formerly of Glemsford Road, Boxted, near Sudbury, was charged after being interviewed by Suffolk police.

Although an exact figure has not been put on the money involved in the allegations it is understood to be around £690,000.

The accusations relate to more than 20 alleged victims.

Smith was arrested in Lancashire late on Wednesday and brought to Suffolk.

He faces 42 charges of fraud by false representation.

After being charged this morning Smith was remanded in custody to appear before South East Suffolk Magistrates Court this afternoon.

During a short hearing prosecutor Lesla Small said the allegations span a five-year period from 2008 to 2013.

The court was told the amounts of money in the charges range from £2,000 to £50,000.

Due to the seriousness of the accusations Ms Small asked the court to decline jurisdiction and send the matter to Ipswich Crown Court.

Andrew Cleal, representing Smith, said he did not have any observations to make and was in agreement.

No application was made for bail and no pleas were entered on Smith’s behalf.

The three magistrates committed his case to the town’s crown court.

Smith was told his preliminary hearing would be on May 12.

He was also informed his trial window was likely to be between September 14 and October 23.

Smith was remanded into custody at the end of the hearing until his next court appearance.