A Keswick woman and a man have pleaded not guilty to a charge of fraud which is said to be linked to an alleged fake kidnapping.
Kieran Allan Winder, aged 30, and Amy Louise Gaskell, 37, jointly face one charge.
This alleges fraud and that they made a false representation to a man which they knew was, or might be untrue or misleading – namely that “Gaskell had been kidnapped and monies were required to reimburse” Winder. It is alleged that a four-figure sum of cash was involved.
Winder and Gaskell appeared at Carlisle Crown Court on Monday. Both pleaded not guilty to the allegation which was put to them in turn by a clerk.
Winder further denied two alleged assaults on emergency workers – a police constable and a police detention officer.
All charges arise out of alleged incidents which are said to have taken place on July 22 this year.
A trial in front of a jury was listed by Judge Nicholas Barker and is due to start on January 15, 2024.
Until then, Winder, of Hunday Court, Workington, remains remanded in custody, while Gaskell, of Coleridge Court, Keswick, has been granted conditional bail.