Fraud Charge Referee to Stand Trial

A MAN accused of refereeing football matches while claiming thousands of pounds in disability benefits is to stand trial.

Barry Nichol, 45, appeared at Durham Crown Court for the first time yesterday after he earlier pleaded not guilty at the city magistrates’ court and elected trial.

Following an investigation by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) he was charged with a suspected benefit fraud of more than pounds 19,000.

The 45-year-old, of John Street in Blackhill, Consett, is alleged to have dishonestly failed to inform the DWP of a change in his circumstances. Yesterday Christopher Knox, prosecuting, said the basis of the allegation was that Nichol attended coaching sessions and refereed football matches while claiming disability benefits.

He told Judge Peter Reid that the trial would take up to three days.

Carl Gumsley, representing Nichol, said his client had already two discs in his back removed and was due to go into hospital for a third operation.

The court agreed that a trial date would be agreed administratively. Nichol was remanded on bail.

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