The director of a mortgage broker firm has appeared in court over an alleged property scam. At this stage he continues to enter ‘no plea’.

Andrew Sizer, from Scarborough, has been charged with fraud by false representation to the tune of £10,000.

The 46-year-old appeared before Scarborough magistrates on Monday to face the charges.

The court heard that the charge relates to an alleged fraud in which Sizer is said to have dishonestly taken £10,000 from a friend, which he claimed would be invested in a foreign property investment plan.

It has been alleged that Sizer is took the money in June 2007 and as of yet, the investment failed to come into fruition.

It is alleged that there has been no return shown for the investments made.

Known locally as Andy, Sizer previously worked for the Scarborough Building Society where he was a lending and credit recovery manager, before becoming Mortgage Service manager.

After leaving the building society in 1999 he joined a brokerage as director of compliance, where he met his business partner. The pair set up Scarborough-based The Foremost Group in 2001.

During his ten minute hearing at Scarborough magistrates court, Sizer, dressed in a black suit with shirt and tie, did not enter a plea.

Katy Varlow, prosecuting, said that the case was a matter for the Crown Court.

As a result, the case has been adjourned until July 6, when it will appear back at the magistrates court for committal proceedings, during which a date will be set for a hearing at Crown Court.

Sizer was granted unconditional bail.