MBE man on theft and fraud charge

A man who received an MBE for community work is to face a crown court trial on 30 charges of theft and fraud.

Michael Eke, 37, appeared before magistrates in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, on Tuesday and his case was committed to Cambridge Crown Court.

The case was adjourned until 31 March, for a plea and directions hearing and he was released on unconditional bail.

Mr Eke, a father of two from March in Cambridgeshire, ran a branch of the Air Training Corps and organised events.

He was made an MBE in 2003 and in 2004 was given the honour of carrying the Olympic flame on part of its 78-day worldwide journey.