AN ACCOUNTANT, who is defending himself against a charge that he embezzled hundreds of thousands pounds from his employer, has pleaded not guilty.

Balding, grey-bearded Anthony Simpson, 53, is accused of stealing £450,000 from the now defunct Bradford-based conveyancing firm Hammonds Direct.

Short, bespectacled Simpson, of Wood Avenue, Dale Lane Estate, Heckmondwike, appeared at Bradford Crown Court today for a plea and case management hearing.

In a firm voice and with his hands clasped behind his back, he pleaded not guilty to the charge, which alleged that between September 1, 2008, and July 8, 2014, he stole approximately £450,000 belonging to the partners of Hammonds Direct.

Prosecutor George Hazel-Owram told Judge David Hatton QC that the defendant was not represented and had indicated he would not be represented at his trial, but he had discussed witness requirements with him.

He said that at a previous hearing, Judge Colin Burn had robustly advised the defendant that he should be legally represented but it had been to no avail.

He said prosecution papers had been served on the defendant. The charge was one of theft from employer, he said.

Mr Hazel-Owram said: "There are a large number of witnesses required, including a large number of police officers."

He said there were going to be issues as to whether police had complied with the Police And Criminal Evidence Act in relation to searches and interviews.

Mr Hazel-Owram said some matters could be agreed between the prosecution and defence.

He said: "He accepts money was paid out of the account to other parties and himself. The issue is whether Hammonds Direct partners were in on this and were using him to conceal money from the administrator."

The company went bust in 2009 with the loss of 200 jobs.

A trial date has been set for May 11, but Judge David Hatton QC said the case might benefit from a pre-trial review, to take stock of issues and decide whether all the witnesses were necessary. He fixed that hearing for April 17.

The prosecutor said he did not envisage any need for special measures, bad character or hearsay in the case.

Judge Hatton asked the defendant if he had understood all the proceedings.

Simpson, who was wearing a red polo-neck jumper, black leather jacket, dark trousers and boots, replied: "Yes."

The judge granted him unconditional bail until the next hearing.