A SALVATION Army worker told Teesside Crown Court how the charity was kept in the dark over charges made on money willed to it from a man's estate.

The organisation's legacy officer, Deirdre Metcalfe, was giving evidence yesterday in the trial of solicitor and former North Yorkshire Coroner Jeremy Cave.

Mr Cave, 53, of The Grange, Balk, near Thirsk, denies ten counts of stealing £185,000 from the estates of deceased clients, between April 1990 and July 2000.

Mrs Metcalfe told the hearing how the Salvation Army was one of three beneficiaries in the will of Harry Manning, from Thirsk who died in August 1997, and from whose estate Mr Cave is charged with stealing £38,925.

She told the jury that the Salvation Army was given an initial payment of £120,000, but between March 1998 and August 13, 1999, received no correspondence from Mr Cave.

But in cross-examination, Mrs Metcalfe said her charity had been kept closely informed over the sale of a house which formed part of Mr Manning's estate.

She also agreed that Mr Cave had efficiently and quickly informed the Salvation Army of the legacy left to it by Mr Manning.

The trial continues today.