A WOMAN has appeared at crown court accused of an iPad sale scam in which customers were left thousands of pounds out of pocket on the run up to Christmas.

Kirsty Cox is alleged to have failed to supply about 4,000 of the tablet computers, despite having taken payment from expectant customers, who believed they were receiving a bargain.

Among the alleged victims were many individuals, but also several companies which were said to have made bulk orders.

When the case was committed to Durham Crown Court by magistrates in Newton Aycliffe last month, Ms Cox was facing six counts of fraud by false representation.

But, today’s (Monday March 25) first hearing of the case at the crown court was told that the prosecution has now “rolled up” the charges to a single offence covering all the alleged fraudulent activity.

The charge was not put to 36-year-old Ms Cox, of Hamsterley Road, Newton Aycliffe, during the short hearing, and the case was adjourned for three weeks.

No bail application was made on behalf of Ms Cox, who has been in custody since her arrest in December.

She will be brought back for a plea hearing at the court, on April 17, with a provisional trial date suggested for June 3.

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