A bathroom fitter has appeared at Durham Crown Court facing a string of fraudulent trading allegations.

Adam Latcham is accused of taking deposits from 14 customers for various bathroom renovations which were not completed.

The prosecution has been brought by Durham County Council's trading standards department following complaints from disgruntled customers of the defendant.

When Latcham entered the dock for what was to be a plea hearing in the case yesterday (Thursday, September 12) his counsel, Calum McNicholas, asked for the charges not to be put to him.

(Image: The Northern Echo)

Mr McNicholas told the court: "He faces a 14 count indictment, comprising of 800 pages of evidence, and it's simply not been possible for me to satisfy myself that he understands the case against him and, so, I apply for an adjournment to enable me to have a full conference with him."

(Image: The Northern Echo)

Judge Richard Bennett said he would allow for a fortnight adjournment to enable Mr McNicholas to speak to his client knowing the full extent of the allegations he is facing.

"Clearly, there's a lot of evidence he needs proper advice about."

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Judge Bennett said he would maintain full credit for any pleas the defendant may offer when the case is back before the court, later this month.

But he warned Mr McNicholas that after the rearranged plea hearing, "the credit clock starts to run down".

He adjourned the hearing and bailed the 30-year-old defendant, whose address was given by the court as being in Regent Court, South Hetton.

The rearranged plea hearing will take place at the court on Friday, September 27.