FIVE people have appeared before York Magistrates’ Court accused of a string of online fraud charges.
Michael James Hughes, 24, Jamie Wyatt, 24, both of Pear Tree Rise, Seaton, and Stephen Graham Oliver, 45, of West Bolden, Sunderland, each face 16 charges including conspiracy to defraud, engaging in misleading commercial practices, and conspiring to conceal or remove criminal property. The charges are all dated between January 27, 2012, and June 27 last year.
Richard Geoffrey Hough, 41, of Thorpe Court, Kettering, Northamptonshire, was charged with conspiracy to defraud in common law, conspiring to conceal or remove criminal property – both between January 27, 2012 and June 27, 2014 – and with concealing or removing criminal property between January 31 and April 30, 2014. Amanda Hough, 43, who is also of Thorpe Court, Kettering, was charged with concealing or removing criminal property between January 31 and April 30 2014.
The charges were brought against the defendants by City of York Council and the Northallerton and York-based National Trading Standards eCrime Team.
The Press understands the charges relate to offences which have taken place around the UK, with a number of instances in York and North Yorkshire.
Richard Hough, Amanda Hough, Hughes, Wyatt and Oliver have not yet entered pleas, and are due to appear before York Crown Court next month.
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