A COURT hearing relating to a theft of nearly £200,000 in Kidderminster has been adjourned until next month.

Ben Noden, of Church Street, Shipston, formerly of Coronation Way, Kidderminster, is charged with theft by employee and is set to appear at Worcester Crown Court.

A plea and trial preparation hearing was scheduled to take place on Tuesday (September 17).

However, Noden was not at the hearing and the judge acknowledged he may not have been made aware of the hearing.

The plea and trial preparation hearing was adjourned to October 14.

The 37-year-old is charged with committing fraud by false representation by forging a signature in order to obtain money. He is also charged with theft by employee, with £198,387.15 belonging to Peter Round being stolen.

He has yet to enter pleas to these charges, but when he previously appeared at Worcester Magistrates Court on Tuesday, July 23, he admitted a separate charge of stealing cash to the value of £2,640 belonging to Monica Davies.