THE FORMER trustee of a North Yorkshire charity and chairman of a privatised probation organisation has appeared in the dock at York Magistrates Court.

Hugh Richard Vaughan Morgan Williams, 68, is alleged to have abused both positions to commit fraud.

He also faces three charges of converting assets obtained through criminal means and two of false accounting.

He did not indicate a plea to any of the charges.

His case was sent to Teesside Crown Court where he will appear for a plea and trial preparation hearing on June 8.

He was released on unconditional bail at the end of the brief hearing.

Morgan Williams, of North Riding Rise, Thornton-le-Moor, north of Thirsk, was trustee of Cowesby Charity which helps people in and around Cowesby near Thirsk, and chairman of Durham and Tees Valley Community Rehabilitation Company (CRC). He no longer holds either position.

He is charged with fraud by abuse of position at the CRC between January 1, 2015 and February 1, 2016, and at the charity from April 1, 2012 to January 31, 2015.

The false accounting charges relates to accounts for the charity he allegedly submitted to the Charities Commission and to a local clergyman between March 2012 and May 2016.