THE former chief executive of the Butterwick Hospice has appeared before a judge for the first time amid claims he stole more than £127,000 from the charity.

Graham Leggatt-Chidgey, from near Barnard Castle, County Durham, pleaded not guilty to a charge of fraud by false representation at Teesside Crown Court.

The 62-year-old, who was dressed in a smart dark pin-striped suit and spotted tie, also denied a charge of theft when he appeared in front of Judge Tony Briggs.

The alleged offences are said to have taken place over almost eight years between 2009 and earlier this year.

Mr Leggatt-Chidgey, from Rokeby, left the Stockton-based charity in March after 21 years in charge.

The charity was opened in 1984 by founder, the late Mary Butterwick, who sold her own home to buy somewhere where people could die with dignity.

A potential trial date of May 14 - for a case scheduled to last for five days - was set by Judge Briggs, and Mr Leggatt-Chidgey was given bail until then.

In front of a full public gallery, prosecutor Paul Abrahams told the judge that a forensic accountant is likely to form part of the case.

Mr Leggatt-Chidgey spoke only to confirm his name and enter his pleas during the brief hearing.

The theft from the hospice is said to amount to £127,714 between June 20, 2009 and March 13, 2017.

The fraud is alleged to have been committed on October 1, 2015, when he is said to have signed a lease agreement for a Jaguar car in the name of the Butterwick’s chairman of trustees.

The packed public gallery in Court 5 included the daughter of the late hospice founder, Mary Butterwick, and several former employees.