By Steph Johnson

Last updated at 10:19, Saturday, 22 October 2011

A west Cumbrian man has appeared in court accused of stealing more than £400,000 from his bosses.

Anthony Ansell

Tony Ansell, 57, of Loweswater, near Cockermouth, has been charged with two counts of theft.

Both relate to Greengarth Business Park at Holmrook, where he was site manager and accountant for a number of years.

The first allegation is that he stole £262,054 between June 2008 and March this year. The second allegation is that he stole £177,704, also between June 2008 and March. Ansell did not enter a plea to the charges during the brief hearing at Carlisle Magistrates’ Court yesterday.

But he was told that the matter is so serious it must be dealt with at Carlisle Crown Court.

Ansell will appear before the magistrates’ court again on December 16.

Then, proceedings will take place to commit the case to the higher court, where he will later appear before a judge.

First published at 09:00, Saturday, 22 October 2011
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk