A 59 year old Newent businessman who has denied five fraud charges involving a cable company and the NHS has been sent for jury trial at Gloucester Crown Court.

Simon Comben of Knights Crescent, Newent, appeared before Cheltenham Magistrates on Dec 14th and pleaded not guilty to frauds allegedly committed between August 2017 and May 2018.

The first charge alleges that between those dates he falsely claimed he had negotiated an agreed contract for work with an intent to make a gain of money for himself.

The second allegation is that at Newent on 26th Sept 2017 he had in his possession or control a quotation for goods which was for use in the course of fraud.

Charge three alleges that on 27th Oct 2017 at Newent he supplied a letter purporting to be from fibre optic cable company Tratos intending it to be used in the course of fraud.

The fourth charge is that on 15th Feb 2018 he supplied an email purporting to be from Philip Bradley intending it to be used in fraud.

And the final charge alleges that on March 27th 2018 at Newent he supplied a purported contract from the NHS to assist in the commission of fraud.

Mr Comben was committed by the Magistrates to stand trial at Gloucester Crown Court and was bailed pending his first appearance there on 14th January 2021.

*Mr Comben is listed at Companies House as the sole director of Arcesilaus Ltd, a business specialising in 'engineering related scientific and technical consulting activities.'