A coroner went on trial yesterday accused of stealing more than £185,000 from the beneficiaries of ten wills.

Jeremy David Cave, 53, of The Grange, Balk, near Thirsk, North Yorkshire, denies ten counts of theft alleged to have been committed between April 1990 and July 2000.

Judge Les Spittle told the jury at Teesside Crown Court that the case was expected to last between four to six weeks.

No evidence was heard yesterday and the prosecution is expected to open the case tomorrow morning.

Mr Cave, the coroner for the western district of North Yorkshire, was remanded on bail.