BOURNEMOUTH businessman Richard Carr and his four co-defendants entered not guilty pleas to a host of fraud and theft charges today.

Carr, 55, of Lagoon Road, Poole, denied 41 counts including being involved in the formation, promotion or management of a company while bankrupt, mortgage fraud and forgery.

His other alleged offences include theft of nearly £250,000 from Future 3000 plc – which operated local bars and clubs Dundees, Mint, Wiggle, Bliss, Toko, Jimmys, Bent and Crank – and concealing the power boat ‘Honey Party’ and several gold watches after being declared bankrupt.

His co-accused, appearing alongside him in the dock at Bournemouth Crown Court, were Poole residents Dene Burgess, 57, and Susan Burgess, 52, of Banks Road and Adrian Price, 48, of Western Avenue, Poole, as well as James Beedham, 39, of Bridle Crescent, Bournemouth.

Rather than hear the full indictment read out loud each defendant was asked in turn for their plea to the relevant charges. They each entered not guilty pleas.

Dene Burgess, Carr and Price are jointly accused of obtaining an advance of £860,000 on a mortgage from the Bank of Scotland by deception and providing false information to the bank to support that claim.

Beedham faces 19 counts of aiding Richard Carr in the formation, promotion or management of a business while the latter was bankrupt.

Susan Burgess and Carr are jointly charged with ten offences, including three counts of making a false instrument, and two of obtaining a money transfer by deception, among other offences.

All five were released on conditional bail to return to court for trial at a later date. A directions hearing is scheduled to take place in their absence next month.