A MAN who said he opened the country's first refuge for male victims of domestic violence in the North-East has been charged after a seven-month fraud investigation.

The Northern Echo can reveal today that Mike Kenny, 34, will appear in court next month to face two charges of deception.

Mr Kenny was arrested and questioned by detectives in November after an investigation by The Northern Echo into his claims that he had set up a safe house.

He founded an organisation, called It Does Happen, which offered online support for victims of domestic abuse, and revealed the opening of the £2.4m refuge on Tyneside and plans to build others.

Mr Kenny made headlines in national and regional newspapers, and appeared on several television shows to announce the opening of his safe house.

It was reported that he had raised £21m in sponsorship in less than three months, and that his support network had received 362,473 calls in two months.

After his arrest, at his home in Ferryhill, County Durham, Mr Kenny was questioned on suspicion of trying to obtain property and services by deception, and was bailed while police carried out further inquiries.

A Durham Police spokes-man said last night: "A man aged 34 has been charged with two offences of deception under the Theft Act of 1978 and has been bailed to appear before Darlington magistrates at 9.30am on July 5."

The Northern Echo understands that the charges relate to allegations that Mr Kenny said It Does Happen was a registered charity.

Following his arrest, the former radio presenter said: "We are intent on providing refuge accommodation throughout the UK.

"We provide support and help to individuals through our online service, and we will continue to do so."

Among Mr Kenny's claims in other media were that, following the opening of the 31-bed refuge in the North-East, he would establish two more in Yorkshire and the Midlands by January.

He also told journalists that his former girlfriend had been jailed for wounding after she stabbed him five times, resulting in the loss of six-and-a-half pints of blood, but the allegation was untrue.