A COUPLE have appeared in court to deny swindling almost £800,000 from an elderly lady.
Ronald and Penelope Bradshaw are accused of stealing almost £246,000 from 92-year-old Marie Preys, with whom they bought a house in Verwood in 2006.
They had planned that they would all live together.
It is claimed that Ronald, 61, and Penelope, 60, used £172,000 of Mrs Preys' money to buy the property then signed the title deeds over to themselves.
Magistrates in Bournemouth were told that since then, the pair are accused of allegedly withdrawing a further £361,000 from a bank account jointly held between Mrs Preys and Penelope Bradshaw.
Penelope Bradshaw, who wore a blue top and matching jacket in court, denied one charge of theft and three counts of fraud. The charges cover a period between 2006 to 2014.
Grey-haired Ronald Bradshaw, who wore a white polo shirt in court, pleaded not guilty to one count of theft and two of fraud.
The Bradshaws, of The Avenue, West Moors, will appear at Bournemouth Crown Court on July 27.
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