A MAN who set up a Bradford charity for children with cancer is on trial accused of fraud.

A jury was sworn in at Bradford Crown Court on Monday to try Colin Nesbitt, 58, of Kent Road, Bingley, in a case which is set to last up to three weeks.

The panel of eight women and four men was selected after 18 potential jurors filled in a questionnaire to ensure they did not know Nesbitt and had never worked with the Little Heroes Cancer Trust charity, of which Nesbitt was the founder, or The Charity Commission.

Judge Jonathan Gibson then sent the jury home until 10.30am tomorrow when James Lake for the prosecution is expected to open the case.

Judge Gibson told the jury: “The general nature of the allegation is one of fraud.”

He instructed the panel to keep an open mind throughout the course of the trial and not to speak to anyone outside their number about the case.

The jurors must not discuss the case on social media, look up anything to do with it on the internet or read or listen to any press reports about it.

Bearded Nesbitt, who wore a striped shirt for the hearing, is on bail.

He is represented by barrister Matthew Donkin.

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