A financial controller has appeared in court accused of defrauding his employer of just short of £1million.

James Mann, aged 58, of Church Lane in Loughton, faces 13 charges of committing fraud at Commsense Ltd by abuse of position between May 2010 and December 2014.

It is alleged he wrote cheques to himself from the company bank accounts, some of which were in his own name or that of SVI Marine Ltd.

Commsense is a wholesale mobile phone distributor based in Brooker Road, Waltham Abbey.

Mr Mann is listed as a director and company secretary of SVI Marine Ltd, which is registered in Church Hill, Loughton.

The amount allegedly involved a total of £999,365.

The largest single sum is £213,764 and the smallest £1,797, with other figures including £199,000 and £111,000.

Mr Mann appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates Court on Tuesday (August 23), where he indicated a not guilty plea.

Magistrates decided the case was too serious for them to deal with and sent it to Chelmsford Crown Court.

Mr Mann was remanded on bail to attend a preliminary hearing on September 20.