The jury has retired to consider its verdicts in the trial of the founder of a flagship free school in Bradford and two others on fraud charges.
Sajid Hussain Raza, 43 of Spring Gardens Road, Heaton, Bradford, who was the founder and principal when the Kings Science Academy opened in 2011, denies four counts of fraud, three counts of false accounting and two of obtaining money transfer by deception.
His sister Shabana Hussain, 40, who was a teacher at the academy, of Wilmer Road, Heaton, Bradford, denies one charge of fraud and one of acquiring criminal property.
Daud Khan, 44, who was financial director, of Thornhill Place, Thornbury, Bradford, denies two counts of fraud and three of false accounting.
The prosecution claim the trio diverted money which was intended for the academy and covered it up by creating false documents. Raza also faces charges charges involving mortgage applications.
The jury has been told by Judge Christopher Batty it must consider the case of each defendant separately.
Directing on the law he said the prosecution bring the case and must prove it.
“The defendants do not have to prove their innocence," he added.
He said the prosecution proved their case “if they make you sure that the defendant whose case you are considering is guilty of the particular offence you are considering.
"If you are sure then your verdict must be guilty. If you are less than sure then your verdict must be one of not guilty.”
“Suspicion of guilt is not enough,” he said.
“You must consider the case for and against each defendant separately, the evidence is different and your verdicts need not be the same.”
He told jurors they must also consider the evidence on each charge separately. “Once again the evidence is different and your verdicts need not be the same.”
The trial continues.
UPDATE: The jury was sent home this afternoon and will continue its deliberations on Monday at 10am.
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