Two local men appear in court after being charged with fraud-related offences

Two local men charged with several fraud-related offences have appeared before the Magistrates’ Court on Monday morning.

41-year-old Derek Rodriguez and 32-year-old Dyson Lima were jointly charged with one count of fraud by false representation, one count of using criminal property and one count of transferring criminal property. 

Derek Rodriguez, of Devil's Gap, was also handed an additional charge of one count of possessing criminal property.

The charges follow an investigation by the RGP's Economic Crime Unit into a series of alleged fraudulent refund transactions.

These included an alleged fraudulent receipt and attempted withdrawal of funds, with a successfully processed refund totalling £35,000.

Both men were granted legal aid, with the case adjourned until next week.