Fraud charge

A man accused of stealing from his employer is to apply to have a charge of fraud by abuse of position dismissed. George Austin, 24, of Ulcombe Gardens, Canterbury, is said to have taken almost £9,000 from Phoenix Electronic Cigarettes in Maidstone. He was not asked to enter a plea when he appeared at Maidstone Crown Court. The application will be made on October 9. A trial date was set for November 6.