THE founder of a Bradford-based children's charity has made his first appearance at Crown Court accused of fraud involving more than £340,000.

Colin Nesbitt, 57, registered the Little Heroes Cancer Trust in October 2008, and has since raised hundreds of thousands of pounds, primarily to buy toys for young cancer sufferers in hospitals.

Nesbitt appeared in the dock during a brief hearing at Bradford Crown Court to enter not guilty pleas to ten charges put to him.

It is alleged that between March 21, 2010, and October 13, 2016, Nesbitt dishonestly and intending thereby to make a gain for himself or another, abused his position as director of the trust, in which he was expected to safeguard its financial interests.

He is accused of making two payments to a Barclays Bank account, one of £181,230.53, and one of £120,482.26.

A third payment is said to have been made to a Santander Bank account, worth £21,000.

Nesbitt is also alleged to have committed fraud by making loans to two individuals, worth £16,000 and £5,000 respectively.

Dressed in a dark-blue patterned shirt and jeans, the bearded Nesbitt also denied five charges of supplying false information to the Charity Commission.

The alleged offences, said to have taken place between June 29, 2010, and June 30, 2015, relate to information provided in connection with the income and expenditure of the trust.

Prosecutor Alisdair Campbell told the court that Nesbitt's trial would last up to five weeks, and a date was set for April 15 next year.

He said that stage one of the prosecution case would be served by August 31, with stage two by September 28, the same date for a defence statement and final witness list to be provided to the court.

Recorder Jeremy Hill-Baker said any expert reports, such as those by forensic accountants, should be served by February 1 next year, ahead of a pre-trial review on March 15.

Nesbitt was released on unconditional bail ahead of that hearing.

Recorder Hill-Baker told him: "We have set a timetable for the preparation of your trial. You must assist in the preparation of a detailed defence statement. Failure to do so may count against you. My advice is to keep well engaged in this case."

Nesbitt was initially arrested by police in connection with the allegations at his home address in Kent Road, Bingley, in October 2015.