Ex-council chief accused of fraud

A former council leader in Worcestershire has appeared in court charged with 15 offences of fraud, deception and theft.

Ex-leader of Redditch Borough Council David Roy Cartwright, 51, is charged with offences which were allegedly committed between 1997 and 2005.

He did not enter any pleas when he appeared before Worcester magistrates.

Mr Cartwright, from Church Hill South, Redditch, was bailed to appear before magistrates on 28 May.

The charges include furnishing false and misleading accounts to the Charities Commission, dishonestly obtaining money via money transfers, three counts of theft and dishonestly furnishing information in relation to accounts.