A North Yorkshire coroner went on trial at Teesside Crown Court yesterday acccused of stealing more than £185,000 from the estates of deceased people.

Jeremy David Cave, 53 of The Grange, Balk near Thirsk has denied ten counts of theft between April 1990 and July 2000.

The ten charges against solicitor Mr Cave, included thefts of between £3,160 and £88,420 from the credit balances belonging to the beneficiaries of the estates of ten deceased people.

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

The trial was adjourned until Wednesday morning to allow administrative matters to be dealt with. Mr Cave, the coroner for the western district of North Yorkshire was remanded on bail.